The Victorian Government has approved the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere, the Warracknabeal Energy Park. Announced by the Carroll Labor Government, the project is set to power up to 1.2 million homes and, according to the Government, drive energy bills down.

Once complete, the 219-turbine wind farm would deliver more than 1.5 gigawatts of renewable energy, providing around 11.8 percent of Victoria's future energy needs. The site will also host a 300 megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) to help power homes.

Jobs and Storage Capacity

The project is expected to create almost 950 jobs during construction, with ongoing local jobs once operational. The battery storage system will soak up and store cheap renewable energy during the day that can be pumped back into the grid at times of peak demand, which the Government says will deliver cheaper energy bills and reliable electricity to Victorian homes and businesses.

Planning and Approval Process

The Warracknabeal Energy Park has gone through Victoria's Environment Effects Statement (EES) process, including technical studies, community consultation and a public inquiry.

Renewable Energy Targets

The Victorian Government describes projects like this as critical to delivering the state's renewable energy targets of 65 per cent by 2030 and 95 per cent by 2035. The government states that Victoria has the cheapest power in Australia because of its investment in renewables, which it describes as the cheapest form of energy.

Political Responses

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said: "We are delivering more energy that will help lower power bills." She added: "The Liberals want to cut renewable energy projects like this – that means cutting jobs and pushing power bills up."

Minister for Energy and Resources Jaclyn Symes said: "While Labor is getting on with building the energy projects Victoria needs, Jess Wilson's One Nation-Liberal Coalition wants to scrap projects like this – putting jobs at risk and pushing power bills up."

Minister for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora said: "We are delivering new projects that will push down energy bills while also creating new jobs in regional Victoria."

Claims About the Opposition

The Premier's office states that Jess Wilson's Liberal-One Nation-Coalition wants to rip up renewable energy projects, putting Victoria at risk of more blackouts and higher power bills. It also claims that the last time the Liberals were in government they banned new wind farm developments, costing Victoria up to USD 2.09 billion in investment.

Stay Ahead of Australia's Power Boom, Track Every Megaproject Before Your Competitors Do

Australia is adding more power generation capacity than any other region on earth, with billions flowing into renewables, transmission networks, and grid modernization each year. The question isn't whether opportunity exists; it's whether you'll hear about it before the tender closes.

Relying on scattered news reports and delayed government releases means entering projects late, when margins have already tightened, and competitors have locked in their positions. Timing is everything in this market.

The Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research gives you a single, continuously updated window into power sector developments across Australia, from early-stage announcements to operational handovers.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

Book a free demo of the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research and put the entire Australianlia power pipeline at your fingertips.