Neoen has commenced construction of the 346 MW Goyder North Wind Farm Stage 1 in South Australia’s Mid North region, with notices to proceed issued to Vestas for the wind farm and Downer for its connection and transmission infrastructure.
Located on the lands of the Ngadjuri Nation near Burra, the project received South Australian Government approval in 2024 and will connect to ElectraNet’s existing Bundey Substation. According to Neoen, Vestas will install 48 V172-7.2 MW wind turbines, while Downer will design and construct the associated connection and transmission infrastructure.
The wind farm is expected to generate 1.3 TWh of renewable energy annually once operational in 2029, which Neoen said would increase South Australia’s wind generation by approximately 10%.
Stage 1 is supported by a 100 MW renewable energy baseload agreement with BHP to supply its Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill mines. Neoen said the arrangement combines electricity generated by Goyder North with storage from the 454 MW / 1,814 MWh Goyder Battery.
The project forms part of Neoen’s Goyder Renewables Zone, which also includes Goyder South Wind Farm and Goyder Battery. The company said the zone now has 1.2 GW of total capacity, with the two wind farms expected to generate approximately 2.5 TWh of electricity annually.
Neoen Regional CEO for Australia Pacific Jean-Christophe Cheylus said the construction milestone reflected partnerships developed across the region.
“Goyder North is set to make a significant contribution to South Australia’s energy transition, creating hundreds of jobs and delivering lasting benefits for the Goyder community,” Cheylus said.
Neoen expects Goyder North Stage 1 to create around 500 construction jobs and more than 10 permanent operational roles. The company said total employment associated with the Goyder Renewables Zone would exceed 1,000 positions across a seven-year rolling construction period, alongside 30 permanent operational roles.
The project will also contribute to Neoen’s existing community benefit-sharing program and includes a commitment to protect a further 1,300 hectares of land in partnership with the Ngadjuri Nation.
South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis said the project represented further investment in the state’s renewable energy sector and highlighted the partnership between Neoen and BHP.
Neoen Group CEO Xavier Barbaro said Goyder North was the company’s second wind farm to enter construction in Australia in 2026, adding that the project would support South Australia’s transition towards renewable energy.
