Golden Plains Wind Farm in south-west Victoria is preparing to increase its capacity from 756 megawatts to 1.3 gigawatts, according to TagEnergy managing director Andrew Riggs. The project, described by Riggs as the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest wind farm, currently supplies about 9 per cent of Victoria’s annual energy demand.
The expansion is occurring as electricity demand from data centres accelerates. Riggs said Amazon and Equinix would together use more than 25 per cent of the wind farm’s energy, or about 352 megawatts, to provide renewable power for their services.
The Victorian government says Melbourne attracted $6 billion in data-centre capital investment during the past year. Fifty data centres are operating in the state, while 10 have been approved for construction and another eight are undergoing planning assessment. Their electricity consumption is projected to quadruple by 2030.
Data-centre industry representative Sabooh Whitelaw said the company she represents currently consumes about 255 megawatts nationally and expects its grid capacity in Australia to reach 1.3 gigawatts by 2030. She described demand from large technology companies as “insatiable”, citing Australia’s renewable resources, available land and stable government.
The expansion has also generated opposition. Victorian Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Minister Anthony Carbines said data centres placed significant pressure on electricity grids, water systems and local communities, and urged operators to engage communities early. The local government areas of Maribyrnong, Hume and Brimbank have introduced moratoria on new developments, while the Greens have called for a nationwide pause until stronger rules are established.
In August, the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council agreed that data centres should bring new, firm renewable generation online to match their demand. The issue is becoming more urgent as Victoria’s ageing coal-fired power stations approach retirement. Energy Market Operator projections show no significant electricity supply buffer beyond 2029, while Australian Industry Group director Tennant Reed warned that inadequate new generation could increase wholesale prices.
Eighteen data centres are in Victoria’s pipeline, adding to pressure for new renewable generation and transmission. Whitelaw said existing supply would not meet new demand and argued that renewable projects and transmission upgrades needed to be coordinated to avoid a shortfall.