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.

Endesa has completed the recommissioning of a wind farm in Castile and León, replacing 22 turbines with four new units, in a EUR34mn project backed by Spanish public funding.
Japan is pursuing its ambitions in floating offshore wind, despite the withdrawal of several domestic industrial players and challenges linked to costs, infrastructure and relations with the fishing sector.
ENERCON has signed a contract with Alterric to supply 13 E-175 EP5 E2 turbines, to be installed at the Kutenholz wind farm from spring 2026 as part of a repowering project.
Eurowind Energy is currently constructing nine projects in Germany, combining wind and solar, for a total capacity of 242 MW, thus strengthening its strategic investments in a key market.
Infinity Power will build a new onshore wind farm in Egypt with financing led by the EBRD and backed by several international partners.
Capstone Infrastructure has completed commissioning of the 192 MW Wild Rose 2 wind farm in Alberta, supported by long-term offtake agreements with Pembina Pipeline and the City of Edmonton.
German group Nordex has signed its first order in Ecuador to supply 19 turbines for a 112 MW wind farm, marking its entry into a little-developed Andean market.
Acciona Energía has sold its 65% stake in the Chiripa wind farm to Ecoenergía for an enterprise value of $80mn, as part of its international asset rotation strategy.
The global offshore wind market could more than double by 2030, driven by technological innovation, evolving marine substructures, and integration into high-voltage power grids.
Hive Hydrogen has received environmental authorisation for the Carissa Wind Energy Facility, now the largest permitted wind farm in South Africa with a planned capacity of 1,000 MW.
The financing supported by the European Investment Bank will enable GreenIT to develop its portfolio of onshore wind projects in Italy by 2028.
Indian wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon has secured an 838 MW contract from Tata Power Renewable Energy for a wind project spanning three states, marking its largest order of the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
With 816 MW of capacity and 140 turbines, Colbún’s Horizonte wind farm launched its commercial phase in early September after a gradual deployment over several months.
VSB Germany is developing over 800 megawatts of wind, solar, and storage projects, with 20% originating from repowering, confirming an investment strategy focused on optimising existing assets.
Danish group Ørsted will raise new funds through a rights issue to strengthen its financial structure and cover needs linked to the full ownership of the Sunrise Wind project.
Norway has received two bids for offshore sites in the Utsira Nord zone, marking a key step in the country’s floating wind development.
EDP Renováveis has completed the sale of twelve operational wind farms in France and Belgium to Amundi Transition Energétique for an enterprise value of €200mn ($215mn).
Octopus Energy has signed a strategic agreement with Ming Yang Smart Energy to deploy up to 6 GW of wind projects in the UK, combining software technology and turbines to boost local capacity.
The US government has requested the judicial cancellation of the federal permit granted in 2024 for an offshore wind project, citing impacts on commercial fishing and maritime rescue operations.
Vattenfall commits new investment to the Clashindarroch II onshore wind project, a 63MW site in Scotland set to begin construction in 2026 and deliver first power in 2027.

Log in to read this article

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