The Andrews government has announced its intention to build a large renewable energy farm in western Victoria.

The wind and energy storage battery farm should create about 1,300 jobs in the region. The project will also be a ‘world first’ – in that it will be the world’s first ever crop farm to be powered entirely by renewable energy.

The site chosen for the project is Nectar Farms’ new Stawell facility. In the initial stages, the 40-hectare site will include 10 hectares of glasshouses. Nectar Farms will also use hydroponic technology to grow high quality produce for local and overseas markets.

The farm will be powered by wind, and this will be backed up by a 20MW commercial energy storage battery. The energy storage system will help to ensure the security of the energy supply.

Stawell dishes up ideal site for the project

Stawell is in country Victoria, about a 2.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne. It has a population of just over 6,000. Nectar Farms chose the area due to its proximity to Melbourne, and to help keep transport costs down.

The company also chose the site due to it being in a non-flood zone, as well as flat and cleared. The site also has good access to water, gas and the arterial road to Adelaide.

Victoria’s Energy Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, said the farm will deliver secure and affordable clean energy and provide a boost to the area. She also said the initiative shows how renewable energy can “unlock opportunities” that build a better future for regional communities.

Renewable energy farm to help state meet targets

The Andrews Labor government wants to see Victoria become a leader in renewable energy. This means taking steps to encourage investment in renewable energy projects in the state. Premier Andrews sees jobs creation in the sector as a crucial part of the State’s future.

Ms D’Ambrosio said that this project will help Victoria to meet its renewable energy targets. In 2016 the State set targets of 25 per cent by 2020, and 40 per cent by 2025.

Nectar Farms is also committed to sustainable farming practices, and is now seeking other sites for glasshouse crop farming. This may lead to other opportunities for renewable energy farm projects in the future, both in Victoria and across Australia.