In a milestone for South Australia’s renewable sector, Canunda Wind Farm has celebrated its 20th birthday with a ten-year extension to its operations.
Commissioned in 2005, it is one of the state’s oldest wind farms, with the ENGIE wind farm initially expected to have an operational life of 20 years.
However, a recent life extension assessment completed between ENGIE and turbine manufacturer Vestas has determined that the project’s design life can be extended by another ten.
The 46MW wind farm – located south of the town of Millicent – generates enough clean energy to power an average of 30,000 homes across the state.
The 8km long site contains 23 turbines, reaching heights of 107m from the base of the tower to the tip of the blade. They can generate power from wind speeds as little as 4m/sec (14km/h) and reach their maximum design production at 13m/sec (47km/h).
ENGIE Managing Director of Renewables, Laura Caspari, said Canunda Wind Farm has been a cornerstone of the state’s renewable energy for nearly two decades.
“Rather than retire the project, we’ve been able to push its operational lifespan to 2035,” she said.
“This extension means ten more years of clean energy for South Australia’s grid and continued contributions to ENGIE’s renewable energy goals.”
Ms Caspari said construction of the Canunda Wind Farm was one of ENGIE’s first contributions to its vision to accelerate Australia’s transition towards a carbon neutral economy.
“At the time, Australia’s East Coast National Electricity Market grid included around ten per cent renewable energy, compared to around 40 per cent today.
“ENGIE has a global ambition of having 95GW of renewable power and batteries in operation by 2030. Australia is a priority contributor to this ambition, with world class wind and solar resources and a rapidly decarbonising grid, with the Australian government’s goal of achieving 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
“We look forward to building on the legacy of Canunda with the many advances made in the industry over the last 20-years, from technological advancements, to how to generate energy alongside farming activity, to how to be a contributor of good jobs and economic development to the communities in which we are hosted.”
Vestas SVP Country Head Australia and New Zealand, Danny Nielsen, said the 20th birthday milestone and ten-year extension of the project speaks to the enduring strength and innovation of the Vestas’ world-class wind turbines, which have been powering the future of Australia’s clean energy for decades.
“At the time of installation, the Canunda Wind Farm featured 2MW turbines – among the largest in the country – and required the use of Australia’s biggest 600T crane to install them. Additionally, the original nacelles were proudly assembled in Australia, further showcasing local expertise.”
Nielsen said the project is not just about technology – it’s about people.
“Some of the original installation and service crew, hired locally, are still working on the wind farm after 20 years, embodying the long-term commitment that drives this success.
“They are the backbone of our commitment to providing affordable, reliable clean energy that not only supports South Australian communities but powers the nation’s energy future.”
