Federal Approval for Goyder Wind and Solar Project in South Australia
The ambitious Goyder wind, solar, and battery initiative by Neoen in South Australia is steadily progressing, with federal approval granted for stages 1 and 2 of the northern part of the project.
The plans for the Goyder North, comprising 99 turbines with a total capacity of 600 megawatts (MW), have been approved by the EPBC, albeit with specific conditions regarding offsets, clearing, and the management of rare species such as the pygmy blue-tongued lizard and Flinders Ranges worm lizard.
Changes to Project Plan
Last year, the project underwent some adjustments, removing five turbines while introducing twelve others to a new section at the northern end of the site. In addition, the turbines have been slightly upsized, with approval secured to extend the blades by 5 metres, increasing their height to 95 metres.
The design for the planned 225 MW/900MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) remains intact, although it will occupy a smaller area than initially proposed.
Ownership and Future Prospects
Despite Neoen’s branding being prominent across the Goyder renewable energy hub, the substantial project is now under the ownership of Brookfield, following a $10.2 billion acquisition of the French firm that was completed in March of the previous year.
The overarching ambition for the Goyder project is to deliver over 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar power generation, alongside several battery systems capable of achieving a total capacity of 1,800 MW and providing three hours of storage.
Goyder Renewables Zone Development
As planning advances for the northern section, Goyder South has already been launched as the initial phase of the extensive Goyder Renewables Zone, located near Burra in South Australia’s mid-north. This zone is poised to be one of the largest hybrid projects combining wind, solar, and battery technologies in the nation.
Situated north of the critical network crossroads where the interstate EnergyConnect network links South Australia to New South Wales, future transmission lines are also proposed to channel energy to significant demand areas such as Whyalla and Perth.
The first stage of the Goyder South project, delivering 412 MW, officially commenced operations last year.
Partnerships and Contracts
This project is underpinned by a 2020 agreement with the ACT government, securing 100 MW of its capacity at an unprecedented low feed-in tariff of just $44.97 per megawatt hour in Australia.
Furthermore, Goyder South encompasses a 600 MW solar facility, an additional 600 MW of wind generation, and a 900 MW battery storage solution, all of which have secured their respective state planning approvals, according to Neoen.
Neoen also forged an innovative “baseload renewables” agreement with BHP for an extra 200 MW of wind energy from Goyder South—supplemented by the recently completed Blyth battery—to support operations at BHP’s expansive Olympic Dam copper mine and smelting facility, as well as nearby ventures.
Following this, another “baseload renewables” agreement has been established with BHP, now involving 300 MW from the forthcoming Goyder North wind project, which will be supported by a brand-new 200 MW, 800 MWh Goyder battery.
