Stockyard Hill Wind Farm

{{Short description|Wind farm in Victoria, Australia}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}

{{Use Australian English|date=January 2015}}

{{Infobox power station

| name = Stockyard Hill Wind Farm

| name_official =

| image = Stockyard_Hill_Wind_Farm_Logo.png

| image_caption =

| image_alt =

| coordinates = {{coord|37|32|9|S|143|15|5|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_ref =

| country =

| location =

| status = O

| construction_began = May 2018

| commissioned =

| decommissioned =

| cost =

| owner = Palisade Investment Partners Limited (49%)
Nebras Power (49%)
Goldwind Australia (2%)

| operator = Goldwind Australia

| ps_units_operational = 149 × 3.57 MW

| ps_units_manu_model = Goldwind GW140-3.57MW

| wind_hub_height = 110 metres

| wind_rotor_diameter = 140 metres

| wind_rated_speed =

| wind_farm_type = Onshore

| wind_site_elevation =

| wind_site_usage =

| wind_site_area =

| ps_electrical_capacity = 530 MW

| ps_electrical_cap_fac = 40.9% (projected)

| ps_annual_generation = 1900 GWh (projected)

| website = {{url|https://www.stockyardhillwindfarm.com.au/}}

| extra =

}}

Stockyard Hill Wind Farm is a wind farm project in Victoria (Australia).{{Cite web|title=NPIM acquires stake in Australia's Stockyard Hill Wind Farm|url=https://www.power-technology.com/news/npim-stake-australia-stockyard-hill-wind-farm/|access-date=2021-10-18|website=www.power-technology.com|date=14 January 2020 |language=en-GB}} In October 2022 the project completed its hold point tests, and was approved by the Australian Energy Market Operator and Network Services Provider to generate up to its maximum capacity of 511MW into the National Electricity Market.

The development was initiated by [https://www.windpower.com.au/cms/ Windpower Australia] and bought by Origin Energy. In May 2017, Origin sold the development to Goldwind Australia for {{AUD|110 million}} and signed a power purchase agreement to buy the electricity and Renewable Energy Certificates for less than {{AUD|60}}/MWh.{{cite press release |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/594b52ed37c581fa1843961b/t/5951b00378d171b90598308e/1498525701119/OEL+Media+release+SHWF+sale+20170508.pdf |publisher=Origin Energy |date=8 May 2017 |accessdate=20 September 2019 |title=Origin adds 530 MW of renewable energy to its portfolio; Sets new benchmark for renewable PPA pricing}}

The facility consists of 149 approved wind turbines at a site approximately 35km west of Ballarat between Beaufort and Skipton.{{cite news| url=http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/stockyard-hill-wind-farm-to-go-ahead-origin-energy-says/story-fnkfnspy-1226833627252| title=Stockyard Hill wind farm to go ahead, Origin Energy says| date=21 February 2014| first=Chris| last=McLennan}} The forecast cost is A$900 million (US$750 million){{cite news| url=http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2014/2/21/wind-power/origin-shelves-wind-farm-pending-review| title=Origin shelves wind farm, pending review| date=21 February 2014| publisher=Climate Spectator}} In December 2009, the original plan for 242 turbines, the plan was changed to only have 157 turbines. The Victorian minister of planning approved the 157 turbines, in October 2010.{{cite web| url=http://www.stockyardhillwindfarm.com.au/ | title=Stockyard Hill Wind Farm| publisher=Origin}}

In 2013 Origin contemplated selling the project before production would have begun, but decided to continue the project.{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-15/origin-decides-to-hold-onto-stockyard-hill-wind-farm-in-victoria.html| title=Origin drops sale of Stockyard| date=15 January 2013| first=James| last=Paton| publisher=Bloomberg}}

Construction commenced in May 2018 on a design that has 149 wind turbines.{{Cite web|title=FACTS SHEET|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/594b52ed37c581fa1843961b/t/5e5717cc05c7f9197ea36fb9/1582766048688/Detailed+Fact+Sheet.pdf|access-date=19 October 2021}} The final turbine installation occurred in December 2020 and operations began in July 2021. The Goldwind 3S turbines have a capacity of 3.57 MW,{{Cite web|title=GW140-3.57MW|url=http://www.goldwindaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/GW-140-3.57-MW-Product-Brochure.pdf|access-date=19 October 2021}}{{Cite web|title=3S PMDD – Goldwind Australia|url=https://www.goldwindaustralia.com/technology/gw140/|access-date=2021-10-18|language=en-US}} with a hub height of 110 metres, tip height of 180 metres, and rotor diameter of 140 metres. The farm is projected to generate 1900 GWh of energy annually,{{Cite web|title=Application to amend the Wind Energy Facility Planning Permit|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/594b52ed37c581fa1843961b/t/5950bb9f72af653baab9f663/1498463142239/SHWF-WEF-Summary-Guide-brochure-May2016-WEB.pdf|access-date=19 October 2021}} at a corresponding capacity factor of about 40.9%. It will power approximately 425,000 homes annually.{{Cite web|last=Howl|first=Nadia|date=2021-07-25|title=Stockyard Hill Wind Farm a step closer to operation|url=https://esdnews.com.au/stockyard-hill-wind-farm-a-step-closer-to-operation/|access-date=2021-11-16|website=Energy Source & Distribution|language=en-AU}} Origin Energy has a power purchase agreement to buy all electricity until 2030.