Federal Approval for Goyder Wind and Solar Project in South Australia
The ambitious Goyder wind, solar, and battery project by Neoen in South Australia is gradually taking shape, with the northern section’s stages 1 and 2 recently receiving federal approval.
The Goyder North project is set to feature 99 turbines with a capacity of 600 megawatts (MW), now officially greenlit by the EPBC, albeit with specific conditions addressing environmental offsets, land clearing, and the protection of pygmy blue-tongued lizards and Flinders Ranges worm lizards.
Updates and Changes to Project Plans
Last year, Neoen made adjustments to the plans for the two stages, reducing the number of turbines from 99 by five, while introducing 12 new turbines at the northern end of the planned site. Additionally, the height of the turbine blades will increase by 5 metres, rising to 95 metres, following EPBC approval.
While the design for the 225 MW/900 MWh battery energy storage system remains intact, its physical footprint will be smaller than initially proposed.
Ownership and Future Vision
Although Neoen’s branding still dominates the Goyder renewable energy hub, the project is now under Brookfield’s ownership, following their $10.2 billion acquisition of the French company, completed in March of the previous year.
The overarching vision for the entire Goyder project aims for more than 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of combined wind and solar generation, alongside multiple battery systems with potential capacities of up to 1,800 MW and three hours of storage.
Development of the Goyder Renewables Zone
As planning progresses for the northern section, Goyder South has already commenced operations, representing the first phase of the broader Goyder Renewables Zone near Burra in South Australia’s mid-north. This zone is becoming one of Australia’s largest hybrid projects leveraging wind, solar, and battery technology.
Situated north of the network crossroads, where the interstate EnergyConnect will connect South Australia to New South Wales, this area is set to facilitate new transmission lines that will channel power to major demand centres such as Whyalla and Perth.
Operational Milestones and Agreements
The initial 412 MW stage of the Goyder South project opened its doors last year, secured by a 2020 agreement with the ACT government for 100 MW at a record low feed-in tariff of $44.97 per megawatt hour.
Furthermore, the Goyder South project includes a substantial 600 MW solar initiative and an additional 600 MW of wind capacity, along with a 900 MW, 1,800 MWh battery, all of which have obtained the necessary state planning approvals, according to Neoen.
In a groundbreaking move, Neoen signed its first “baseload renewables” contract with BHP to deliver 200 MW of wind power from Goyder South, supported by Neoen’s newly operational Blyth battery. This power will support BHP’s extensive Olympic Dam copper mining and smelting operations.
A second “baseload renewables” deal has also been established with BHP, this one comprising 300 MW from the new Goyder North wind project, which will be supported by the upcoming 200 MW, 800 MWh Goyder battery.
