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GPG holds the Opening Ceremony of Berrybank 1 wind farm, postponed last year due to COVID-19 restrictions

March 11^th, 2022 – Global Power Generation (GPG) today announced that the Berrybank 1 wind farm has held its Opening Ceremony, that was postponed several times last year due to lockdowns. 

Victoria’s Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio, attended the Opening Ceremony for the wind farm in Berrybank, Victoria, along with members of Parliament, representatives of DELWP (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning) and DJPR (Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions), representatives of the Corangamite and Golden Plains Councils, and members of the Community. Senior representatives from GPG and Vestas, and other partners of the project, such as, AEMO, TransGrid, AusNet, MPCK, RJE, Vision and the Consortium of Lenders supporting the finance during the operations phase, were also present during the event.

Shaq Mohajerani, Head of GPG Business Development APAC, said, “through the process of developing and constructing this project, GPG has made an important contribution to the local economy and helped building capabilities in Australia’s renewable energy industry. Looking forward, we are excited about the future of renewable energy in this country. GPG has accumulated extensive experience developing over 4GW of power generation projects in 9 countries across the world, and we are excited to bring this experience to Australia and play a positive role in the renewable energy transition”.

Minister D’Ambrosio congratulated Global Power Generation on delivering the Berrybank Wind Farm saying, “the project is a great step forward for Victoria’s clean energy transition.

“The Andrews Labor Government is thrilled to see large-scale renewable energy generators like Berrybank come online following our first Victorian Renewable Energy Target auction.”

The Berrybank 1 wind farm, located in Victoria, 150 kilometers west of Melbourne, is the second wind farm that GPG is operating in Australia, following the development of the 91 MW Crookwell 2 wind farm in New South Wales, which began commercial operations in November 2018.

Additional 26 wind turbines are currently under construction for the 109 MW Berrybank 2 wind farm, which is due to be completed in the second half of 2022. As part of the commitments associated to this project, GPG is also constructing a 10MW/20MWh BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) located in the Australian Capital Territory that will support energy distribution on the ACT electricity grid.

Berrybank 1 wind farm is comprised of 43 turbines with an installed capacity of 180MW, equivalent to the electricity to power 138,000 households. Awarded by the Victorian government in the VRET 2017 Reverse Auction, energy generated from the project will be subject to a 15-year regulated tariff and contribute towards the achievement of the Victorian Renewable Energy Targets. 

The company has invested 284 million Australian dollars (approximately 185 million euros) in this project and has created 117 new jobs and retained a further 166 existing jobs during the construction phase. During operations, the wind farm will be supported by a team of local employees.

In addition to the considerable local employment opportunities created during the construction phase, the project also achieved the level of local content required by the Victorian government. Furthermore, the company invested more than 3 million Australian dollars in different local community initiatives under the Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan, such as:

For further information, please visit our websites:

• Berrybank 1 wind farm: https://www.berrybankwindfarm.globalpower-generation.com.au/
• GPG Australia: http://www.globalpower-generation.com.au/
• GPG: http://www.globalpower-generation.com

Berrybank (Victoria, Australia), 11^th March 2022

RMIT University will collaborate with Global Power Generation (GPG) to deliver a range of capacity building initiatives co-designed with the local community, with the aim to support entrepreneurs near the company’s Berrybank 1 Wind Farm project in south-west Victoria.

GPG is the international power generation arm of Naturgy Energy Group– a leading multinational group in the energy sector and the largest integrated gas and electricity company in Spain and Latin America. GPG manages a total installed power capacity of 4,100 MW in nine countries.

The Berrybank 1 Wind Farm is in south-west Victoria, in the Western Plains region about 130km from Melbourne, within the Corangamite and Golden Plains local government areas. The wind farm consists of 43 wind turbines with an installed power capacity of 180 MW capable of generating 644 GWh/year, equivalent to the electricity to supply 138,000 homes.

It’s one of six development projects in Victoria to support achievement of the Victorian State Government’s Victorian Renewable Energy Targets (VRET), awarded in the VRET 1 auction, which aim for 50% of energy through renewable sources by 2030.

David Santo Tomás, Project Director of the Berrybank 1 Wind Farm, said this Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program that is being developed with the RMIT responds to a strong commitment to communities in the surrounding area, and is one of several community engagement initiatives that Berrybank 1 Wind Farm will launch and promote during its Operations phase.

“Open to the local community, our aim is to support an intergenerational ecosystem of existing, emerging and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in launching and running new businesses,” he said. “We’re pleased to be collaborating with RMIT for the delivery of this exciting initiative.”

Tom Bentley, Executive Director Policy, Strategy and Impact at RMIT University, said the new collaboration aligns with RMIT’s mission to make a positive economic and social contribution to the people, communities and countries where it operates. 

“Delivered by RMIT Activator, the program will see opportunities for members of the community to participate in a variety of entrepreneurship activation initiatives,” he said.

“This will include students at local high schools, people starting out new businesses as well as supporting existing businesses enter the digital economy,” he said.  

RMIT Activator is the University’s growth engine for entrepreneurship and innovation with a focus on delivering experiences to build knowledge, capabilities and networks for future impact and success.

Matt Salier, RMIT Activator Director, said the new collaboration with Berrybank 1 Wind Farm is set to deliver the skills, opportunities and innovation to serve the needs of the local area.

“We look forward to collaborating with the community to deliver relevant and forward-looking capacity building initiatives – with a strong focus on co-creation to enable and empower the community,” he said.

RMIT Activator worked with RMIT Europe – the University’s European hub in Barcelona – in the development and design of the program. RMIT and GPG’s engagement and consultation with the community kicked off in 2021. – learn more about Berrybank 1 Wind Farm’s Community Engagement and Benefits Sharing Plan.

150 kilometres outside Melbourne, Berrybank 1 has an installed power capacity of 180 MW and a 15-year PPA with the Victoria State Government.

The company is currently developing a Strategic Plan based on generating renewable power in stable geographic regions like Australia.

Through its international power generation subsidiary, Global Power Generation (GPG), Naturgy has begun to operate its second wind farm in Australia, Berrybank 1, with which it now operates a total of 270 MW in the country.

Located 150 kilometres outside Melbourne, the wind farm consists of 43 wind turbines for an installed power capacity of 180 MW capable of generating 644 GWh/year. This is enough electricity to supply 138,000 homes.

The power generated at Berrybank 1, which has a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Victoria State Government, is subject to a regulated tariff for 15 years and will help meet the renewable energy targets set by the State of Victoria.

Development of this wind farm required a total investment of 284 million Australian dollars (185 million euros).

El desarrollo del parque ha representado una inversión total de 284 millones de dólares australianos (185 millones de euros).

Naturgy’s commitment to Australia

Berrybank 1 is the second wind farm put into service by GPG in Australia following development of Crookwell 2 (91 MW) in New South Wales, where commercial operation began in November 2018.

The company is currently building the Berrybank 2 wind farm (109 MW) with an additional 26 wind turbines. This work is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2022. As part of the commitments tied to this project, GPG is scheduled to install a 10MW/20MWh BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) in the Australian Capital Territory that will enable distribution of power via the ACT electricity grid.

GPG has already signed PPAs with corporate buyers for another three wind farm projects: Ryan Corner (218 MW) and Hawkesdale (97 MW), both in Victoria, and Crookwell 3 (58 MW) in New South Wales. Crookwell 3 is the sixth wind farm developed by GPG in Australia and the third backed by a corporate PPA. With Crookwell 3, GPG’s portfolio of wind farms with guaranteed PPAs will increase to over 750 MW.

Global Power Generation (GPG), a company jointly owned by Naturgy Energy Group SA (75%) and Kuwait Investment Authority (25%), manages a total installed power capacity of 4,100 MW in nine countries.

The Crookwell 3 wind farm is designed to generate enough energy to power 40,000 households.

Telstra and Naturgy, through its international power generation subsidiary Global Power Generation (GPG), announced today they have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) to build a 58 megawatt (MW) wind farm located near Goulburn in New South Wales. The wind farm, called Crookwell 3, will commence construction in the last quarter of 2021 and is expected to be fully operational in the first half of 2023. GPG will invest approximately AUD120 million (equivalent to approximately €76 million) to develop the Crookwell 3 wind farm.

Under the long term PPA, Telstra has committed to procure 80% of the energy generated by the wind farm. The project fully complies with Naturgy’s investment and profitability criteria.

GPG CEO, Francisco Bustio, said, “GPG is committed to playing an important role in the development of Australia’s renewable energy industry and supporting the energy transition through the generation of clean, renewable energy.”

The wind farm is designed to generate the energy needed to power the equivalent of 40,000 households. It will also contribute to the local economy and help build capabilities within Australia’s renewable energy industry. Approximately 95 direct jobs will be created during the construction phase, and a further 6 permanent jobs will be created to support the ongoing operations of the wind farm.

Bet on Australia

The Crookwell 3 wind farm will be Naturgy’s sixth investment in Australia, through its subsidiary GPG. Already one of the top 3 independent renewable energy companies in Australia, this new project will see Naturgy reach 750 MW of renewable energy generation projects in the country with secured PPAs.

GPG currently operates the Crookwell 2 wind farm (91 MW), in New South Wales, with a PPA awarded by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government. In addition, the Berrybank 1 wind farm (180 MW) in Victoria, which was awarded a PPA by the Victorian Government, has recently commenced operations. The Berrybank 2 wind farm (109 MW), with a PPA awarded by the ACT Government, has started construction, and is due to be completed in the second half of 2022. As part of the commitments associated to this project, GPG is constructing a 10MW/20MWh battery located in the ACT that will support energy distribution on the ACT electricity grid.

GPG has already secured Corporate PPAs with other tier one corporate off-takers for two additional wind farm projects that will be located in Victoria: the Ryan Corner wind farm (218 MW) and the Hawkesdale wind farm (97MW).

Naturgy has an additional portfolio of more than 650 MW of projects in Victoria and New South Wales in different stages of development which will drive the sustainable growth of GPG in Australia.

About Global Power Generation (GPG)

Global Power Generation (GPG) is the international energy generation arm of Spain-based Naturgy. GPG has accumulated extensive experience developing over 4GW of power generation projects in 9 countries across the world and currently employs around 520 people worldwide.

Naturgy, parent company of GPG, is a pioneering multinational group in gas and electricity integration, operating in more than 20 countries, with 16 million customers, and 9,335 employees, of which more than 50% work outside of Spain. As of 2020, the Group has an installed capacity of 15,333 MW, an EBITDA of 3,714 million euros and the value of its assets amounts to 39,545 million euros.

Picture: Opening ceremony of GPG’s Crookwell II wind farm in Australia

The tower is the first stage of the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy training Centre – a partnership between Federation TAFE and the renewable energy industry. Moreover, is part of federation university’s broader plan to become the leading training and research partner for Australia’s renewable energy industry.

The AUS$ 1.8 million project is funded by GPG, Vestas, Acciona and Tilt renewables to allow the renewable energy companies to train workers locally in Ballarat, the gateway to Victoria’s major windfarm projects in the state’s west.

The aim of the project is to feature ladders and safety equipment to give students real-world experience when training to work in the wind industry, or other industries that require working at heights, such as construction and maintenance.

Construction on the new wind turbine training tower is expected to be finished later this year, with stage two get underway in 2022. This includes a classroom, workshop, and training equipment to deliver specialized training courses, such as wind turbine maintenance and blade repair.

Once completed, federation TAFE will be the only training provider in Australia able to deliver the global wind organization (GWO) basic safety training and refresher training courses from a simulated wind turbine tower. The GWO accreditation is required to work on wind turbines in Australia and around the world.

The six-month intensive course allows electricians, mechanical fitters, and automotive technicians to gain the skills needed to work in Australia’s growing wind energy industry. it includes an internship with wind turbine manufacturers and service organizations, covering electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems training.

David Santo Tomás Menocal, GPG Project Director: “Federation University’s new training program and facility will play a critical role in training tradespeople for the thousands of job opportunities that will be created by the transition to renewable energy in Australia.”

GPG Australia is delighted to contribute to this important initiative, and it is looking forward to employing graduates of the program at wind farms that we develop in the future.

• This deal increases GPG installed capacity in the country to over 700 MW.
• Naturgy increases its presence in Australia, becoming the Top-2 independent wind energy producer in the country and confirming its commitment to renewables growth in Australia, through its Global Power Generation joint venture (GPG).
• Hawkesdale is the fifth project developed by Naturgy in Australia and the second one under a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

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Global Power Generation (GPG), a joint venture of Naturgy Energy Group, SA (75%) and the Kuwait Investment Authority (25%), has been awarded the contract to build a 97 MW wind farm located at Hawkesdale in Victoria, approximately 270 km from Melbourne, Australia.

The contract awarded is a 15 years Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the energy equivalent to 97 MW capacity. Given the characteristics of the awarded contract and the conditions of the Australian market, one of the most attractive countries to invest in renewables, the project fully complies with the investment and profitability criteria required by Naturgy for value creation.

Naturgy Renewables in Australia

The Hawkesdale wind farm will be Naturgy’s fifth investment in Australia, through GPG. Including this project, Naturgy will reach a renewable capacity over 700 MW in the region, together with the Crookwell 2 wind farm (96 MW), currently in operation, Berrybank Stage-1 (180 MW), close to be operational, Berrybank Stage-2 (107 MW) and Ryan Corner (218 MW) both under development.

Naturgy has recently secured contracts for different renewable projects in Australia resulting in the development of a capacity greater than 400 MW, and increasing by more than 150% its current installed capacity in the country.  This means Naturgy will become one of the the Top-2 independent wind energy producers in Australia. The company also has a project pipeline of more than 600 MW in the Australia and aims to become one of the main independent renewable operators in the country in the next three years, reaching a total capacity of more than 1.3 GW.

About Global Power Generation (GPG)

Global Power Generation (GPG) is Naturgy Energy Group’s subsidiary dedicated to international power generation, which is 25% owned by the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), the oldest sovereign fund in the world. KIA’s interest in GPG is managed by the KIA’s direct infrastructure platform, Wren House Infrastructure Management. GPG manages a total installed capacity of 4,100 MW and employs around 800 people worldwide.

GPG Australia contributes with 200,000 AUD in funding to the development of the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Tech-Transition Centre (APRETCentre) as part of their social commitments related to Berrybank 1 Wind Farm

Federation University’s work to help develop Victoria State’s renewable energy sector has been bolstered by the investment from GPG as one of the initiatives contemplated in the Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing Plan associated to our first wind farm in Victoria.

Federation TAFE, a leader in Victoria for globally recognised training to support the development of skilled Wind Turbine Technicians, has received $200,000 in funding from Global Power Generation to help establish the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Tech-Transition Centre (APRETCentre).

The training centre, to be located at the University’s Mt Helen Campus, will help to meet the renewable energy sector’s workforce needs through specialised vocational training and other collaborative opportunities. Construction is set to take place in 2021.

The Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley, has stated that the Federation University has an ambitious but realistic agenda to become the leading training and innovation partner for the renewable energy sector in Victoria. They are delighted to have received the support from GPG, which builds on the support from other industry partners to help us realise our vision of establishing the Asia Pacific Renewable Energy Tech-Transition Centre.

GPG is proud to be associated with Federation University to contribute to the establishment of the APRETCentre for Australia, that will create opportunities for specialized training and will support the creation of renewable energy sector jobs for Victoria. This is not a short-term proposition but rather a long-term partnership as GPG Australia will remain in Victoria for a long time.