Victoria’s Ararat 240MW wind farm has officially opened and is now operating at full capacity. This means the wind farm is now providing enough electricity to power the equivalent of 120,000 homes across Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

A ceremony was held in Ararat on 27 June to mark the completion of the $450 million wind farm, which was attended by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, Victorian Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, Member for Wannon Dan Tehan and Member for Brindabella Mick Gentleman.

The wind farm comprises of 75 GE wind turbines, which each have a capacity of 3.2MW, and is the third-largest in the Southern Hemisphere. It will power 5% of Victorian homes with zero emissions and will provide ongoing regional economic stimulus. An Economic Impact Analysis Report developed by RES Australia found this regional economic stimulus associated with new local wage spending and financial returns to land owners will be worth $44.5 million over 25 years.

“The completion of Ararat Wind Farm is a significant milestone in the development of renewable energy in Australia. As the largest shareholder in the project, we are proud of its contribution to both the local community in Ararat and the wider community in Victoria,” says Partners Group head of private infrastructure Asia Benjamin Haan.

The Ararat Wind Farm has also set up a community fund to support local causes, which will contribute $2.7 million over the 25-year period towards environmental sustainability initiatives and cultural activities.

“The arrival of the first blades for the Ararat Wind Farm last June was a monumental occasion and today’s official opening is even more exciting. Statistics have shown the Ararat Wind Farm has already had a very positive impact on our economy and the creation of 51 jobs means the benefits for our community will be ongoing,” says Ararat Mayor Cr Paul Hooper.

The project also benefits from a power purchase agreement with the ACT Government, guaranteeing the purchase of approximately 40% of the energy produced at the site, which was awarded under the ACT’s Wind Auction announcement in February 2015.

“This project was announced the day after the RET was set at 33,000GWh. Two years later we now have a fully operational 240MW wind farm powering 120,000 homes. This is what industry can deliver with stable policy. It is living proof that certainty drives investment, with flow on positive effects for regional economies,” says GE Australia and New Zealand chief executive and president Geoff Culbert.