Renewable energy developer Squadron Energy, with the backing of Australian iron ore billionaire Andrew Forrest, has unveiled plans to construct a 420-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Victoria, Australia's Central Highlands region. The project, known as the Moreton Hill Wind Farm, is currently in its early development stage and is slated for submission to regulatory authorities later this year. The developer intends to seek the input of the Victorian Minister for Planning to determine whether an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is required.
Ongoing consultations with landowners in the vicinity of the selected project site are part of the initial stages of project planning. The Moreton Hill Wind Farm will be situated southwest of Ballarat, in Wadawurrung Country, and is designed to comprise up to 62 wind turbines. The anticipated annual output from the wind farm is expected to be sufficient to cover the electricity needs of approximately 260,000 local households.
This marks Squadron Energy's third wind farm venture in Victoria, following its ownership of the Murra Warra I and II sites. The first phase of the complex, with a capacity of 226 MW, commenced operation in 2020, while the second phase is set to add an additional 209 MW.
Squadron Energy's foray into the Moreton Hill Wind Farm aligns with Australia's increasing focus on renewable energy initiatives and underscores the continued expansion of clean energy solutions in the region.
