French power utility Engie SA has reached financial close on a 250-MW solar project in Victoria, advancing its goal of delivering 3 GW of renewable energy capacity in Australia by 2030.
Engie Australia Breaks Ground on Goorambat East Solar Farm
Goorambat East is a 250 MW solar farm being developed between the towns of Goorambat and Benalla. It received local planning approval in 2019 under its previous owner, French renewables developer Neoen and secured a grid connection in 2021. However, this connection was delayed until 2023 after an amendment had to be made.
Engie begins construction on the 250 MW Goorambat East solar farm in Victoria.
In December of last year, French company Engie acquired the project and has since begun initial construction. This marks Engie's first solar or wind energy project in Victoria since the closure of the Hazelwood coal-fired power plant in 2017.
Engie's Solar Farm to Feature 500,000 Panels
Engie Australia Managing Director of Renewables Laura Caspari said engineering, procurement and construction contractors, Bouygues Construction Australia and Equans Solar and Storage have been given notice to proceed and early construction works have begun on site.
The Goorambat East project will feature around 500,000 solar panels spread across a 630-hectare site. The facility will connect to the grid through a new Goorambat East terminal station which will be situated next to AusNet’s existing 220 kV transmission line between the Shepparton and Dederang terminal stations.
Engie's Goorambat Solar Farm to Light Up 105,000 Homes
The Goorambat East Solar Farm is anticipated to produce sufficient electricity to power approximately 105,000 average Victorian homes. The facility will connect to a new Goorambat East Terminal Station and is set to commence operations in 2026. The project is being developed across five private rural properties near Benalla in Victoria's northeast.
“Construction and commissioning of the 250 MW solar farm is expected to be finished in 2026. Once completed, at its maximum capacity, the solar farm could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 105,000 average Victorian homes, helping to bolster energy security in the state. This project represents a significant new private investment into regional Victoria and will create approximately 250 new jobs during the construction phase. ” said Laura Caspari, Engie Australia's Managing Director of Renewables.
Engie's Growing Renewable Energy Footprint in Australia
Engie has also committed to a community benefit fund of $75,000 per year for the life of the project, as well as offering up to $1,000 in annual electricity rebates to eligible near neighbours of the project once it starts to generate electricity. Both of these benefits underline our commitment to making a positive impact for the people of Goorambat and the Benalla region.
The progress on the Goorambat East project is a significant milestone in Engie’s plans to establish a significant portfolio of large-scale solar, wind and battery energy storage assets in Australia. Engie has almost 3 GW of solar and wind projects in development across the National Energy Market (NEM), including the 120 MW Silverleaf and 100 MW Yass solar farms being developed in New South Wales. It is also developing the 200 MW Warhook Solar Farm project in Queensland.
“Engie reaching financial close on the Goorambat East Solar Farm is a major step in progressing our renewable energy development pipeline and reflects the company’s focus on growth and decarbonisation, and our commitment to delivering 3 GW of renewable energy in Australia by 2030,” said Laura Caspari, Engie Australia Managing Director of Renewables.