Construction is moving ahead on ENGIE’s 250MW Goorambat East Solar Farm, with AusNet set to begin work on the transmission connection for the facility.
Located just 12 kilometres north of Benalla in Victoria, AusNet will be responsible for the design, construction, ownership, and operation of the transmission assets associated with the solar farm.
Upon completion, the Goorambat East Solar Farm will boast a capacity of 250MW, which is enough electricity to supply around 105,000 homes in Victoria.
Boosting Energy Security
Jon D’Sylva, AusNet’s Chief Development Officer, highlighted that this project is part of a broader strategy to enhance energy security across Victoria.
“Upon finishing this project, we expect that over the past eight years, AusNet will have connected more than 8GW of renewable energy to the national electricity market,” he remarked.
Mr D’Sylva expressed pride in contributing to the government’s ambitious renewable energy goals and underscored the enduring positive impact this would have on Victorians, providing accessible and dependable clean energy to homes and businesses.
Construction Details
As part of its efforts, AusNet will construct a new 220kV terminal station and will supply and install two transformers rated at 150MVA, with voltage configurations of 220/33kV at the Goorambat East site. Additionally, they will establish a 220kV interface to integrate the Goorambat East Terminal Station with the existing Shepparton-Dederang 220kV transmission lines.
“We are eager to continue our collaboration with ENGIE and support them in transitioning to a sustainable energy future,” Mr D’Sylva added.
ENGIE’s Commitment
Laura Caspari, Managing Director of Renewables at ENGIE Australia, affirmed the company’s commitment to advancing its portfolio of renewable energy projects, aiming to deliver 3GW of renewable energy across Australia by 2030.
“The ongoing development of the Goorambat East Solar Farm signifies a positive advancement for the renewable energy sector within Victoria and reflects Australia’s commitment to tackling the severe consequences of climate change,” Ms Caspari stated.
On 16 August 2024, ENGIE confirmed that it had reached financial closure for the solar farm project, which is projected to be completed by 2026.