The $550 million BGPH will generate over 740,000MWh of emission-free, clean, competitive renewable energy per annum upon completion, and is targeted for delivery in August 2019.
Neoen Australia managing director Franck Woitiez said the continued progress of the 100% Neoen-owned project would not have been possible without the support of the Victorian government and the wider community.
“We are delighted to commence construction of BGPH, which is bringing a lot of opportunities in the community,” Woitiez said.
“A lot of hard work has gone into ensuring the success of the facility, which will create a positive knock-on effect on the local people and economy.
“We will continue to work closely with the council, neighbours and community at large and ensure any disruptions as a result of construction are kept to the absolute minimum.”
At the peak of construction, the integrated wind farm and battery storage facility will create a total of 1300 jobs, including 270 direct ongoing jobs in the agricultural sector and 10 direct ongoing jobs in the renewable energy industry.
“The Bulgana Green Power Hub is going to provide hundreds of jobs, so it’s certainly going to boost the local economy,” said Tony Driscoll, Northern Grampians Shire mayor.
“We think the ongoing benefits to the community are going to be tenfold for years to come. With this project, the environment wins, business wins and the community wins.
“The project will also help the government to meet their greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets of 15-20% by 2020.”
The Victorian government has committed to a 15-year Support Agreement, a move that will contribute significantly to the Victorian Renewable Energy Target, while Nectar Farms has signed a 10-year power purchase agreement for the supply of competitive and reliable energy to its glasshouse facility.
Nectar Farms will take up to 15% of the energy produced by the BGPH, with the remaining 85% going directly into the grid. AusNet Services, the owners and operators of the Victorian electricity transmission network, will develop the transmission connection for the project.
“There’s not a state in Australia that is more convinced that coal is dead, with the closure of Hazelwood Power Station,” Woitiez said.
“That means coal is not competitive anymore. Renewable and sustainable energy will become cheap, reliable and dispatchable thanks to the storage systems.
“Neoen is happy to invest in Victoria, and we will continue to work closely with the council, neighbours and community at large and ensure any disruptions as a result of construction are kept to the absolute minimum.”
As part of the company’s commitment to Stawell and to signify the next phase of the project, a $120,000 per annum BGPH Community Fund will be launched soon.
The fund provides financial support to community groups for projects that will benefit and strengthen Northern Grampians and the surrounding region, and will be open for 25 years. Projects that align with one of Neoen’s community growth focus areas will be able to apply for funding.
“This is an exciting next step in delivering affordable, sustainable and clean energy – creating jobs right across Victoria,” said Lily D’Ambrosio – state minister for energy, environment and climate change.
“We’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the BGPH is helping us meet our ambitious renewable energy targets.
“The development of the wind farm will provide an immediate boost to the Stawell economy with construction benefiting local businesses.”