ENGIE’s Canunda Wind Farm in South Australia has officially been operating for 20 years and will be extended for a further 10.
Commissioned on 30 March 2005, the wind farm is one of the oldest in South Australia.
The 8km long site contains 23 turbines, reaching heights of 107m from the base of the tower to the tip of the blade.
They can generate power from wind speeds as little as 4m/sec (14km/h) and reach their maximum design production at 13m/sec (47km/h).
Laura Caspari, ENGIE Managing Director of Renewables, said Canunda Wind Farm has been a cornerstone of the state’s renewable energy for nearly two decades.
“The 46MW Canunda Wind Farm – with enough capacity to power an average of 30,000 homes across South Australia – is located just south of the town of Millicent in South Australia, near Mount Gambier, and it boasts a high wind yield by global standards,” Caspari said.
“When Canunda was commissioned in 2005, it was expected to have a 20-year operational life. A recent life extension assessment completed between ENGIE and turbine manufacturer Vestas has determined that Canunda’s design life can be extended by another 10 years. Rather than retire the project, we’ve been able to push its operational lifespan to 2035.”
Caspari said the Canunda wind farm extension means ten more years of clean energy for South Australia’s grid and continued contributions to ENGIE’s renewable energy goals.
“The construction of the Canunda Wind Farm was one of ENGIE’s first contributions to our vision to accelerate Australia’s transition towards a carbon neutral economy. At the time, Australia’s East Coast National Electricity Market grid included around 10 per cent renewable energy, compared to around 40 per cent today.
“It was followed by the 119MW Willogoleche Wind Farm in 2019 near Hallett, which now has a 110MW extension being developed; the 150MW/one hour HBESS (Hazelwood Battery Energy Storage System), built in 2023 on the site of the demolished Hazelwood Coal Power Station in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley; and the ongoing construction of the 250MW Goorambat East Solar Farm in northern Victoria, currently the biggest under construction in the state.”
Caspari said ENGIE has a global ambition of having 95GW of renewable power and batteries in operation by 2030.
“Australia is a priority contributor to this ambition, with world class wind and solar resources and a rapidly decarbonising grid, with the Australian government’s goal of achieving 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
“We look forward to building on the legacy of Canunda with the many advances made in the industry over the last 20-years, from technological advancements, to how to generate energy alongside farming activity, to how to be a contributor of good jobs and economic development to the communities in which we are hosted.”
Danny Nielsen, Vestas SVP Country Head Australia and New Zealand, said the Canunda wind farm extension and milestone birthday speaks to the enduring strength and innovation of the company’s world-class wind turbines, which have been powering the future of Australia’s clean energy for decades.
“At the time of installation, the Canunda Wind Farm featured 2MW turbines – among the largest in the country – and required the use of Australia’s biggest 600T crane to install them. Additionally, the original nacelles were proudly assembled in Australia, further showcasing local expertise.”
Nielsen said the project is not just about technology – it’s about people.
“Some of the original installation and service crew, hired locally, are still working on the wind farm after 20 years, embodying the long-term commitment that drives this success. They are the backbone of our commitment to providing affordable, reliable clean energy that not only supports South Australian communities but powers the nation’s energy future.”
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