Challicum Hills Wind Farm

This is an operating site

When the 52.5MW Challicum Hills Wind Farm was completed in August 2003, it became Australia's largest wind farm. Located on private farming land just east of Ararat in western Victoria, the project generates enough clean electricity to power 23,000 homes each year* - about 1.5 per cent of Victoria's residential electricity demand - and has created significant employment, investment and tourism opportunities in the region.

After two years of careful monitoring and analysis, we identified the Challicum Hills site as possessing wind speeds and a terrain ideally suited to a wind farm development. It was also close to a connection to the National Electricity Grid, easily accessible for construction vehicles and machinery and large enough to allow the optimum spacing of windmills.

Gaining the support of the community was vital, and we consulted with them on a wide range of issues including the project's visual impact, its effect on birdlife, native vegetation and aboriginal cultural heritage, and minimising its disturbance during the construction phase. Once their concerns were satisfied, we commenced construction in October 2002.

Challicum Hills avoids the emission of 141,000 tonnes ** of greenhouse gas each year. Re-vegetation programs are increasing native flora which will help to protect local biodiversity and improve the habitat of indigenous wildlife.

Half of the project cost was spent generating new investment in the local economy through construction, operation and maintenance. Each of the seven landholders involved will receive revenue payments for the life of the wind farm and since the 35 windmills and roads take up only 1 per cent of the land, farming is able to continue uninterrupted.

 * based on average household usage of 6MWh a year

** based on Victorian Government Policy and Planning Guidelines September 2009