Project Overview

The Robbins Island Wind Farm is a renewable energy project developed by ACEN Australia. It is a 9,860-hectare Island, located off the North-West Coast of Tasmania, Australia. It is one of the most significant private investments in Tasmania's history, with an installed capacity of up to 900 MW.  

It includes up to 100 wind turbines on Robbins Island, supported by a 120 km, 220 kV double-circuit transmission line connecting to the grid near Burnie.

With an estimated value of USD 3 billion, the project generates enough electricity to power up to 500,000 homes. Construction is expected to take 3-4 years, employing over 400 workers at peak and providing over 65 operational jobs during its 25-year operational stage.

The project will help meet both state and federal emissions-reduction commitments, including Tasmania’s drive to double its clean energy output by 2040 and to halve emissions by 2030.

Robbins Island Wind Farm Location

Robbins Island Wind Farm is located on Robbins Island, off the North-West Coast of Tasmania, Australia, in Bass Strait. It is about 20 km from Smithton. Up to 100 wind turbines will be installed on the western two-thirds of Robbins Island, which will capture the dominant south-westerly winds in the region.

Robbin Island Wind Farm Map

Project Background

Initially, ACEN Australia submitted a project application in 2017 to develop a renewable energy park on Robbins Island, off the northwest coast of Tasmania, including up to 200 wind turbines and a small solar farm.

The project aims to capitalize on Robbins Island's world-class wind resources, delivering up to 900 MW of renewable capacity to substantially contribute to Tasmania's clean energy transition and economic growth.

In 2019, ACEN removed the solar component and revised the transmission cable design from overhead to underground to address stakeholder concerns.

Environmental approvals required careful study and mitigation plans to protect endangered species, especially the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot and the disease-free Tasmanian devils found on the island.

The Environmental Protection Agency Tasmania issued a favorable assessment in late 2022, leading to local council approval in early 2023. However, the project faced multiple appeals challenging conditions on turbine operations, height restrictions, and environmental safeguards.

Federal approval came in Late August 2025 after more than eight years of assessment, with the Australian government imposing 88 conditions to ensure biodiversity protection, reflecting a balance between development and conservation.

Robbins Island Wind Farm Environmental Approval

Initially, ACEN Australia submitted an application in 2017, activating assessments under multiple regulatory frameworks, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tasmania, Circular Head Council, and the Australian Government, due to the presence of nationally protected species and sensitive habitats on and around Robbins Island.

The EPA Tasmania completed an ecological assessment report (EAR) in December 2022. The approval comes with rigorous conditions to ensure environmental sustainability, focusing on mitigating impacts to endangered species such as the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, the disease-free population of Tasmanian devils, Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles, and protected migratory shorebirds.

A five-month annual shutdown of turbines was initially stipulated to protect the orange-bellied parrot during migration, but ACEN challenged it as unworkable. Legal appeals later overturned this condition.

Robbins Island Wind Farm Federal Approval

After more than eight years of comprehensive environmental and governmental reviews, the project finally received federal approval in late August 2025. It became one of the most closely studied renewable energy projects in Australia.

This comprehensive study provides a deep understanding of its plants and animals to date, giving confidence that the project can proceed and manage any environmental risks.

According to David Pollington, the managing director of ACEN Australia, the approval marked a major milestone for the Tasmanian economy and became essential for the nation’s energy transition.

The Robbins Island Wind Farm will create up to 400 construction jobs and deliver 30 percent more power than average Australian projects of equivalent scale. It turns out that the project will supply low-cost, renewable baseload electricity, allowing Tasmania’s hydro resources to shift towards more flexible, on-demand generation and grid storage.

The Robbins Island 900 MW project supports both state and federal legislative emissions commitments, including Tasmania’s goal to double clean energy production by 2040 and halve emissions by 2030.

Project Timeline

Robbins Island Wind Farm Cost

The total estimated cost for the Robbins Island Wind Farm is approximately USD 3 billion, marking the project as one of the largest private investments in Tasmania’s history. It will produce up to 900 MW of renewable energy from wind turbines on Robbins Island.

Project Scope

Below is a detailed description of the project scope of the Robbins Island Wind Farm Project:

• Wind Turbine Installation: The project includes installing up to 100 wind turbines with a capacity of about 900 MW, making it the largest wind farm in Tasmania.

• Infrastructure involved: The project includes the construction of a bridge connecting Robbins Island to mainland Tasmania, a wharf, substations, a network of access roads, and four quarries.

• BESS & Solar PV Integration: Battery energy storage systems (BESS) and solar photovoltaic (PV) integration are proposed, initially for up to 20 MW.

• Power 500,000 homes: The wind farm will have an installed capacity of up to 900 MW, generating enough renewable energy to power approximately 500,000 homes, supporting Tasmania’s and Australia’s clean energy transition.

Robbins Island Wind Farm Investors

Benefits

The following are the benefits of the project:

• Employment Generation: The project will create up to 400 jobs during construction and provide up to 65 operational jobs for over 25 years.

• Boost Tasmanian Economy: The Robbins Island Wind Farm project will boost Tasmania’s economy by providing approximately USD 600 million during its construction phase. Furthermore, it will add up to USD 32 million to Tasmania’s economy each year during its 25-year operational stage.

• Saves the Environment: The wind farm enables electrified transport and the development of future green fuels. It also reduces overall CO2 emissions by 8.1 million tonnes over 25 years, protecting the environment.

• Clean Energy Transition: Robbins Island is projected to generate enough renewable energy to power up to 500,000 homes, contributing to Tasmania's Clean Energy Transition.

• Efficient Energy System: Provision of low-cost baseload electricity supported by hydroelectric power, enabling a more flexible and efficient energy system.

Conclusion

The Robbins Island Wind Farm, developed by ACEN Australia on a 9,860-hectare island off Tasmania, is one of the largest private investments in the state, with a capacity of up to 900 MW.

After years of comprehensive environmental and governmental reviews, the project finally received federal approval in late August 2025. This comprehensive study provides a deep understanding of its plants and animals to date, giving confidence that the project can proceed and manage any environmental risks.

Upon its construction, the project aims to create up to 400 jobs, generate enough renewable energy to power up to 500,000 homes, and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project aims to position Tasmania as a renewable energy leader, supporting the state’s aim to double its clean energy capacity.

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