The $AUD 250 million project, to be built on Willogoleche Hill about 160 km north of Adelaide and 5 km west of the Hallett township, will comprise 32 turbines that each produce between 3.4 MW and 3.83 MW.

ENGIE in Australia acting Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Donaldson, said: “Preliminary works have begun onsite, including installation of an adjacent substation to feed into the National Electricity Market. Once operational, the Willogoleche Wind Farm will produce enough electricity to power about 80,000 homes in South Australia. “The Willogoleche Wind Farm contributes to ENGIE’s global commitment to increase its share in renewable energy and provides further energy security for South Australia and the NEM.”

Installation of the turbines is scheduled to start by the end of the year, with a completion foreseen by mid-2018.

The project is underpinned by a Power Purchase Agreement to support ENGIE in Australia’s retail business Simply Energy. Simply Energy has more than 80,000 customer accounts in South Australia.