AusNet is set to begin construction on transmission infrastructure to connect ENGIE’s Goorambat East Solar Farm to the Victorian grid.
Located 12 kilometres north of Benalla, the 250 megawatt (MW) solar farm will generate enough electricity to power 105,000 average Victorian homes once operational.
AusNet’s role is to design, build, own and operate the transmission assets linking the solar farm to the existing network.
This will involve building a new 220 kilovolt terminal station at the Goorambat East site, installing two large 150 megavolt ampere transformers, and constructing a 220 kilovolt transmission line interface to connect to the existing Shepparton-Dederang power lines.
The Goorambat East Solar Farm is a key part of ENGIE Australia’s goal to deliver 3 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity nationwide by 2030.
AusNet chief development officer Jon D’Sylva said this is one of many projects helping to bolster energy security in Victoria.
“Once this project is completed, we anticipate that AusNet will have connected over 8GW of renewable energy to the national electricity market over the last eight years,” D’Sylva said.
“We’re proud to be helping the government achieve its ambitious renewable energy agenda and leave a lasting, positive legacy for Victorians that brings affordable and reliable, clean energy for Victorian homes and businesses.”
ENGIE Australia’s managing director of renewables, Laura Caspari said ENGIE is committed to progressing its renewable energy development pipeline by delivering 3 GW of renewable energy in Australia by 2030.
“The continued development of the Goorambat East Solar Farm is another positive sign for the renewable energy industry in Victoria, as well as Australia’s response to managing the worst impacts of climate change,” she said.
The 250MW solar farm is expected to be finished in 2026.
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