Warracknabeal Energy Park project has secured Victoria’s final state approval, advancing Australia’s proposed $3.47 billion wind farm. The development carries an estimated A$5 billion investment and could become the country’s largest wind power project. Its 219 turbines would deliver approximately 1.575GW of generation capacity across farmland in north-western Victoria.
However, construction still depends on federal environmental approval, which remains outstanding. The developer, WestWind Energy, plans to establish the facility across approximately 26,000 hectares of farmland near Warracknabeal, north-west of Melbourne. The project also includes two battery energy storage systems, strengthening its planned contribution to Victoria’s electricity supply.
The Victorian government’s latest decision marks a major milestone after Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny signed off on the project’s final state approval. The decision follows the approval of its Environment Effects Statement in May 2026.
Consequently, the proposal can now proceed to federal assessment under Australia’s national environmental legislation. Federal authorities have requested additional information from the developer before making their final decision. Therefore, the project has not yet received every approval required to proceed with construction.
Warracknabeal Energy Park Project Targets 1.5GW Capacity
The proposed wind farm would install 219 turbines across agricultural land west of Warracknabeal and north of Horsham. Its planned generation capacity exceeds 1.5GW, potentially supplying electricity to approximately 1.2 million homes.
Additionally, the developer plans two battery energy storage systems, each with a capacity of 300MW. These facilities would support the integration of renewable electricity into the wider power system.
The project would overtake the 1.33GW Golden Plains Wind Farm near Geelong, which has 215 turbines. This comparison highlights the scale of Victoria’s expanding renewable energy infrastructure.
The proposed development could also supply approximately 12.5% of Victoria’s future energy needs. Furthermore, government estimates indicate that construction could create nearly 950 jobs, supporting regional employment and supply chains.
However, the development has attracted concerns over its potential environmental and agricultural impacts. Community consultation during the environmental assessment process received 70 responses. Thirty submissions expressed generally positive views about employment, sustainability, community development and population growth.
Nevertheless, some residents and agricultural representatives raised concerns about visual impacts, noise, land use and environmental protections. These issues remain important as the project moves through the federal assessment process.
Warracknabeal Energy Park Project Supports Victoria’s Renewable Targets
The project would contribute to Victoria’s renewable energy targets of 65% by 2030 and 95% by 2035. It also aligns with the state’s wider transition towards lower-emission electricity generation. According to the Victorian government, the proposed development could reduce annual carbon emissions by more than 4.2 million tones.
However, the final environmental conditions and implementation requirements will depend on the remaining approval process.
The construction cost has not been disclosed in the available official project announcements. Therefore, a reliable US-dollar valuation cannot yet be included.
WestWind Energy must also secure the outstanding federal environmental decision before the project can advance towards construction. Once authorities complete their assessment, the approval conditions will help determine the next steps for this major renewable energy development.
Victoria’s expanding wind energy pipeline also includes offshore developments, such as the proposed Mid West Offshore Wind Farm in Australia. While Warracknabeal Energy Park would generate electricity from onshore turbines, offshore wind projects could further diversify Australia’s renewable energy infrastructure and strengthen its long-term clean energy ambitions.
Also read: 1.4 GW Bungaban Wind Energy Project: $2.7bn Construction Targets 2027 after Federal Green Light
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Warracknabeal Energy Park.
Type: Large-scale onshore wind power development with battery energy storage.
Location: Western Victoria, near Warracknabeal and north of Horsham, Australia.
Developer: WestWind Energy.
Planned wind turbines: 219.
Proposed generation capacity: More than 1.5GW.
Battery storage: Two proposed 300MW battery energy storage systems.
Site area: Approximately 26,000 hectares of farmland.
Distance from Melbourne: More than 300 kilometers north-west.
Estimated household supply: Approximately 1.2 million homes.
Construction employment: Nearly 950 jobs.
Emissions reduction: More than 4.2 million tones annually.
Construction cost: A$5 billion (approximately $3.47 billion).
State approval status: Final Victorian state approval granted in October 2026.
Federal approval status: Pending further information and final assessment.
Environmental assessment: Environment Effects Statement approved in May 2026.
Strategic objective: Support Victoria’s renewable electricity targets and regional economic development.
Project Team
Developer: WestWind Energy
Victorian planning authority: Victorian Department of Transport and Planning
Planning approval: Sonya Kilkenny, Victoria’s Minister for Planning
Federal environmental authority: Australian federal government
Environmental assessment participants: Technical specialists, community representatives and public inquiry participants
Construction contractor: Not publicly confirmed in the available sources.
Turbine supplier: Not publicly confirmed in the available sources.
Battery storage supplier: Not publicly confirmed in the available sources.
Engineering, procurement and construction management consultant: Not publicly confirmed in the available sources.
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