The Regional Council of Goyder has a significant energy resource which is in the process of being fully developed. Clean energy investments create jobs in regional Australia, where the best renewable energy resources are located.
Based on estimates, close to 5000 new jobs will be created in South Australia’s electricity sector by 2030 and the vast majority of these will be in renewable energy. Strong Government policies to cut pollution and make clean energy cheaper has the potential to drive significant renewable energy investments in South Australia over the coming decade.
Council is leading a team of innovative and creative experts with direct links to Council to collaborate and create a Centre for Renewable Excellence where both Heritage and Technology meet and engender economic growth and resilience within the region. This will encourage future renewable energy projects to the region, education and research, conservation and preservation of heritage assets and infrastructure, incorporating unique industries and a world heritage bid for the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra.
Current Renewable Energy Projects in the region are as follows
The Hallett Wind Farm is made up of four wind farms near the town of Hallett. They are owned & operated by AGL Energy. The wind farms are located at Brown Hill, Hallett Hill, North Brown Hill and Bluff Range & were built over the period from 2008 to 2012. The wind farm comprises 167 Suzlon S88 Turbines which generate power of 351 MW. The total capital cost was estimated at $900 mill.
The Willogoleche Wind Farm is in the vicinity of Hallett and it’s 32 wind turbines generate up to 119 MW of electricity. The closest to the town of Hallett is 3.2kms west of the town & the furthest is 8.3kms southwest of the town. The cost of construction was $250 mill. It was officially opened in July 2019. The electricity generated is sold by Engie’s retail outlet, Simply Energy.
The solar project is located near the Robertstown Power Substation which is 5kms north east of Robertstown. The project is proposed to be an integrated but separately operated photovoltaic energy generation system of 500MW generation capacity & a 250MW/1000MWh battery energy storage system that will feed into the Robertstown Substation. The capital cost is estimated at $1.1 billion. 275 workers are expected to be employed over the two- year life of the project. Construction is expected to commence at the beginning of 2022.
The project is located at Australia Plains which is approx 16 kms north east of Eudunda. Green Gold Energy plan to build a 150MW solar farm commencing in the first quarter of 2022 with 300 jobs created. They are also planning a 150MW solar farm on the Goyder Highway near Morgan.
The solar project is located near Florieton (30kms east of Robertstown) between Burra & Morgan on a 5000ha property. Stage 1 of the project includes a 200MW photovoltaic array comprising 630000 solar panels and a 120MWh battery and Stage 2 provides another 200MW of generation & a 150MWh battery at a capital cost of $480 million. The project is estimated to require 250 workers over the construction period of 2 years & is now expected to commence in early 2022.
The solar & wind project has 5 stages - Stage 1, 2 & 3 is located south of Burra & north of Robertstown near World’s End & Bright. The first stage of the project will feature 163 wind turbines, 3000ha of solar panels and a huge lithium iron battery generating power of up to 900MW. It is expected that the first 3 stages of the project will be in Goyder South & the next 2 stages in Goyder North. Together, these projects represent a capacity of up to 2000MW of wind generation, 1000MW solar generation and up to 1500MW of battery storage, making the Zone one of the largest proposed hybrid renewable developments in the world. The total project will have a capital cost of $3 billion and provide employment for up to 1100 workers over a 5 to 6 year period. Construction is expected to commence in March 2022.
The project is located approximately 15kms east of the Robertstown Power Substation near Bundey. The Project Energy Connect transmission plan will link South Australia (Robertstown) to NSW (Wagga Wagga) with a 800MW transfer capacity. It will involve the construction of a 330KV above ground transmission line. Electranet are managing the project in South Australia at a cost of $457 million. The project is expected to commence in 2022 & generate employment for 150 workers during the construction phase.
Media Release Hon Dan van Holst Pellekaan 7 June 2021
The project is located between Eudunda and Kapunda. The project is located within three local government areas – Light, Goyder & Mid-Murray Councils. It involves the construction of 51 wind turbines producing 185MW of power per year. Approx 160 workers are expected during construction which is now scheduled to commence in September 2022.
OTHER COMPLETED PROJECTS
In addition to these renewable energy projects, SA Water have completed the transformation of the four water pumping stations between Robertstown and Morgan from electricity to solar power by the construction of solar farms each covering approx 20ha in the locations of Morgan, Florieton, Geranium Plain & Robertstown.
The Robertstown Power Sub Station has also been upgraded and expanded to be able to accept the increased power production from the various renewables projects and to give the power system more strength and security. Four synchronous condensers have been installed. These are large machines that work in a similar way to large electric motors and generators. They spin freely and manage changes in system strength, inertia and voltage control to deliver a reliable power supply.
LOCAL ADVANTAGES & BENEFITS
The Regional Council of Goyder, the Elected Body & staff, the Burra Community Management Committee, the Eudunda Community Business & Tourism Committee (ECBAT) & the Robertstown & District Community & Management Committee are ensuring that the maximum possible impact & interaction is gained from these projects in the local communities from Burra to Eudunda by connecting the contractors of each project to the local labour force, accommodation & food providers & other businesses. This is being done as a community service project with Mel Zerner, a former local Eudunda resident, voluntarily assisting Council & the other community groups in this initiative. Mel is in regular contact with the key owners or employees of all of the above projects to obtain status reports and then respond to their local requirements as needed.
If you have any questions on the status of the any of the above projects or local requirements or want to ensure that your accommodation, labour or local business services are included on the registers, please contact:
Mel on Mobile 0418852353
