Engie begins construction on 250 MW solar farm in Victoria, Australia

Engie has commenced construction on the 250 MW Goorambat East solar farm in Victoria, Australia, marking its first solar project in the state since closing its Hazelwood coal-fired power generator in 2017. Expected to be operational by 2027, the Goorambat East solar farm will become one of Victoria’s largest, with the capacity to power the rural cities of Benalla and Wangaratta twice over.

Victoria’s Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, confirmed the project’s start and highlighted the completion of the nearby 99 MW Winton solar farm. D’Ambrosio emphasized that increasing renewable energy generation helps reduce power bills for Victorians and praised Engie’s investment in the region’s renewable energy sector following Hazelwood’s closure.

The Goorambat East project will generate 250 jobs and significant regional benefits, including a community benefit fund of A$75,000 per annum for at least 25 years.

Meanwhile, the Winton solar farm, developed by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, has been commissioned and now contributes power to 52,000 homes. It created 200 jobs during its construction, supported by the state government’s Victorian renewable energy target auctions.

Victoria’s renewable electricity generation reached 39% in 2023, with 82 large-scale renewable energy projects delivering 5.5 GW of energy. The state is on track to achieve 95% renewable energy generation by 2035, an initiative projected to create 59,000 jobs.