The Berrybank Stage 2 wind farm, located in Victoria’s Western Plains, is now in operation and is set to power Canberra as it transitions its energy grid.
Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reductions, Shane Rattenbury, said this milestone strengthens the Australian Capital Territory’s commitment 100 per cent renewable electricity.
“Berrybank 2 is one of 13 large scale renewable energy generators that are spread across the country, providing the Australian Capital Territory with zero emissions energy at low prices now and into the future,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“The wind farm has a total capacity of 109MW from 26 wind turbines, which will generate 390GWh of clean energy per year, equivalent to the electricity consumption of 71,000 households.
“This additional supply continues the Australian Capital Territory’s work as Australia’s renewable energy capital and is a significant milestone in securing an ongoing 100 per cent renewable electricity supply and supporting the electrification of our city.
“As we electrify Canberra and phase out fossil gas, and as Canberra’s population grows, we will need additional electricity supply. The Berrybank wind farm will boost our renewable electricity supply and help power an all-electric Canberra.
“The price stability that the Australian Capital Territory is now seeing is the result of the good decisions we made over a decade ago to implement a 100 per cent renewable electricity target, further proving that climate action is both achievable and affordable.
“These policy decisions have largely protected the ACT community from the extreme price volatility in wholesale electricity prices that other jurisdictions are facing.
“Following round five of the ACT’s Renewables Reverse Auction, the ACT Government entered into an agreement with Global Power Generation (GPG) for their Berrybank 2 Wind Farm, to supply the ACT with renewable electricity.
“The ACT’s renewable electricity auctions have helped bring in more than $500 million worth of investment into the region, making Canberra a centre for high-skilled renewable sector jobs.
“The addition of the Berrybank 2 wind farm will ensure Canberra’s continued access to affordable and reliable zero-emissions energy,” Mr Rattenbury said.
