ACEN Australia’s 900 MW wind project secures federal approval

With an AUD$3 billion investment, ACEN launches one of Tasmania’s largest private projects, aiming for commissioning in 2030 and annual supply for 500,000 households.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

ACEN Australia’s 900 megawatt (MW) Robbins Island wind project has received federal government approval, paving the way for one of the largest private investments in Tasmania’s history. The AUD3 billion ($1.96bn) project is expected to generate enough electricity to power up to 500,000 homes and contribute more than AUD30 million ($19.6mn) annually to the local economy.

The project will create 400 jobs during construction and includes a AUD27 million ($17.6mn) community benefits programme for the Circular Head region. ACEN Australia conducted over eight years of environmental assessments before receiving approval, including detailed studies on Robbins Island’s ecosystems.

A central project for Australia’s energy strategy

The approval comes as Australia faces increasing pressure in its energy transition, with coal gradually exiting the system and new generation capacity urgently needed. ACEN Australia’s Managing Director, David Pollington, stated that the project demonstrates the ability to balance large-scale energy development with responsible impact management.

The project will complement the region’s existing hydroelectric system, adding low-cost wind generation while allowing hydro facilities to focus on storage and demand response. Commissioning is scheduled for 2030, aligned with Tasmania’s commitment to double clean energy production by 2040.

Strategic connectivity with Victoria and portfolio expansion

This development also follows the final investment decision for the Marinus Link, an undersea transmission line connecting Tasmania and Victoria. This infrastructure will enable the Robbins Island project to help offset the anticipated halving of Victoria’s coal generation by 2035.

ACEN Australia is also expanding its national portfolio with several solar and storage projects in New South Wales, including two solar farms exceeding 1,040 MWdc combined and a 400 MWh battery project expected before the end of 2026. The company has recently secured transmission access rights for additional projects totalling over 2,880 MW in cumulative development capacity.

Accelerating development and diversifying technology

Among the advanced projects are Birriwa Solar (780 MWdc) and Valley of the Winds (900 MW), as well as the Phoenix Pumped Hydro Storage Project (800 MW), which was selected this year in a government tender for a long-term energy service agreement. These initiatives aim to ensure financial viability for long-duration storage projects within Australia’s evolving energy market.

Jose Maria Zabaleta, Executive Chairman of ACEN Australia, highlighted the importance of the approval as a strategic growth driver for the company in Tasmania and Victoria. He stated that the project shows how large-scale renewables can be developed with rigour to deliver long-term value to the market.

The governors of five states urged the Trump administration to maintain permits for threatened offshore wind projects, citing massive investments and jobs at stake in a nascent industry.
Green Wind Renewables is developing a 450 MW wind farm in the Wheatbelt region of Australia, with up to 75 turbines and an estimated annual output of 1.5 TWh.
German group RWE has commissioned five new power plants in France, adding 83 MW to its portfolio, following repeated successes in tenders organised by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
The 600 MW onshore wind farm in Laos achieves commercial operation four months early, injecting power into Vietnam via a 500 kV interconnection and consolidating an international financing package of $950mn.
Equinor confirms its participation in Ørsted’s capital increase, aiming to maintain its 10% stake and support the financial stability of the Danish group facing headwinds in offshore wind.
Chinese manufacturer Dongfang Electric has installed a 26 MW offshore wind turbine in Shandong province, setting a double world record for power and rotor diameter.
Facing unforeseen cost increases and a tightening regulatory environment, Mitsubishi Corporation is pulling out of three offshore wind projects, casting doubt on Japan's renewable energy ambitions.
With 323 millions USD in cash, Polenergia strengthens its investments in offshore wind, solar and storage, targeting more than 2.3 GW of new energy capacity in Poland.
French group Valorem has commissioned the ViIatti wind complex in Finland, made up of two farms totalling 313 MW and an estimated annual output of 1 TWh.
The Revolution Wind project, already 80% complete, has been halted by the U.S. administration over national security concerns, creating major uncertainty in the sector.
Quebec funds a mobile training unit to address the shortage of wind turbine maintenance technicians, estimated at 400 positions by 2029.
The United States Department of Commerce is assessing the strategic impact of wind turbine imports amid rising tariffs and supply chain tensions.
Six turbines installed by RWE on recultivated land near the Inden mine will supply electricity to around 24,000 households, while two new units are already planned.
Buchan Offshore Wind has submitted its marine consent applications to the Scottish authorities for a large-scale floating wind project, marking a strategic step in energy development in northeast Scotland.
The VSB Group has completed the repowering of the Elster wind farm in Germany, replacing 50 turbines with 16 new Siemens Gamesa machines, increasing the total capacity from 30 to 105.6 megawatts.
The EBRD’s additional financing will raise the capacity of the Gvozd wind farm to 75 MW, making it the largest in the country. This project, led by EPCG, marks a key industrial milestone in Montenegro’s energy sector.
The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade is announcing "Arctic configuration" wind generators to power infrastructure on the Northern Sea Route, without listing any companies at this stage, with the stated aim of technological sovereignty.
The Danish turbine manufacturer posted a 14% increase in quarterly revenue, despite a sharp drop in order intake and negative cash flow.
German authorities have approved two onshore wind projects totalling more than 86 MW, with commissioning planned from 2027.
Ørsted strengthens its financial structure with a rights issue backed by the state, following the failed partial sale of the US Sunrise Wind project.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: €99 for the 1styear year, then € 199/year.