Rahul Somvanshi
WestWind Energy has received planning approval from the Victorian Minister for Planning for Normanville Energy Park, a 122-megawatt wind farm near Kerang in the Gannawarra Shire. The project will deliver up to 17 wind turbines and associated electrical infrastructure, enough to power approximately 90,000 Victorian homes.
The project sits within the North West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), part of Victoria’s coordinated approach to clustering renewables for efficient grid connection. The approval marks a significant milestone for the project and an important step forward in delivering new renewable energy infrastructure for Victoria.
The Investment and Jobs Case
During construction, the project is expected to attract approximately AUS$350 million in investment to Victoria and create up to 60 on-site jobs over a two-year period. Once operational, it will support two to three ongoing local roles. The project is also expected to contribute more than AUS$900,000 each year to the local economy through community benefit initiatives, neighbour and host landholder payments, council rates, and ongoing project expenditure.
WestWind Energy Managing Director Tobias Geiger noted: “The State approval of Normanville Energy Park is an exciting milestone for WestWind Energy and the local region. It reflects years of careful planning, technical assessment and collaboration to deliver a project that will contribute to Victoria’s renewable energy future.”
Fitting into Victoria’s Energy Strategy
Victoria has committed to 65 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero by 2045. Normanville’s 122 MW capacity contributes meaningfully to these targets—roughly equivalent to a coal plant’s output. The project’s approval demonstrates that, when careful planning and stakeholder collaboration precede major energy investment, renewable energy and rural communities can align.
Construction timeline and final grid-connection readiness remain to be clarified. The facility’s entry into the electricity market depends on completed transmission infrastructure upgrades and finalised power purchase agreements with off-takers—details WestWind and the grid operator are likely still negotiating.
