JUST in time for Christmas, the SEC announced its acquisition of the Delburn Wind Farm last month.
The move signals confidence in Gippsland’s continued role in energy generation and is hopefully the beginning of further investments to boost the region’s economic future.
Situated across Latrobe City and South Gippsland Shire Council, the wind farm will play an essential role in the diversification of Victoria’s power supply alongside anticipated closure of coal-fired power stations.
Both Latrobe City and South Gippsland Shire Council welcome the news, which will result in energy solutions and secure long-term career opportunities for the local workforce during economic change.
SEC expects the project to bring significant local economic benefits, including more than 300 local jobs during construction and over $22 million in neighbour and community benefit sharing programs over 35 years.
Latrobe City Mayor, Sharon Gibson was delighted by the announcement.
“This is incredibly exciting for Latrobe. We have powered the state for a hundred years and we’re ready to power it for a hundred more with our highly skilled workforce,” she said.
“It is a delight to see the biggest investment the state government has made since Loy Yang was built – they’re showing a significant commitment to our region.
“This is a signal that Latrobe will continue to have a role to play in the diversification of the power supply for years to come.”
Equally, South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor and One Gippsland Chair, Nathan Hersey is looking forward to the opportunities the project will bring.
“The Delburn Wind Project is expected to create around 300 local jobs and deliver significant long-term benefits for our communities,” he said.
“This is welcome news for the Latrobe Valley, South Gippsland and surrounding regions, representing a strong investment in Gippsland that will support local businesses, workers and the broader economy.”
MINISTER for the State Electricity Commission, Lily D’Ambrosio announced the SEC will invest around $650 million to take over the Delburn Wind Farm.
“The SEC is powering Victorian government operations with 100 per cent renewable electricity – with all profits being invested back into projects that will deliver more renewable energy and lower power bills for Victorians,” she boasted.
Construction will begin this year, and the wind farm is expected to in operation in 2028.
The 33-turbine wind farm, overlooking the former Hazelwood Mine site, will generate up to 205 megawatts of renewable energy to the electricity grid, enough to power more than 130,000 homes with renewable power.
This is the first wind farm project to reach financial close in Victoria in the last 12 months, and the first time the SEC will generate power in Gippsland since it was sold off by the Jeff Kennett-led Liberal government some 30 years ago.
The Latrobe Valley has a highly skilled local workforce with decades of energy generation expertise and an established transmission network ready to connect renewable energy to the grid.
The state government says the project will help keep wholesale energy prices low into the future, easing cost-of-living pressures for Victorians.
The project will add to the SEC’s growing portfolio, including 819 megawatts of solar and battery storage at the SEC Renewable Energy Park in Horsham and the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub near Melton – pumping more renewable energy into the grid.
This announcement follows the opening of the SEC’s new Morwell Hub – a space for the community, students and educators to learn about the opportunities the energy transition will bring and find out more about this project.
This will also add to the generation and storage assets the SEC uses to supply 100 percent renewable electricity to power Victoria’s public schools, hospitals and trains.
Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh said the project would ensure Gippsland’s energy history continues.
“This project will tap into the Latrobe Valley’s proud history as Victoria’s energy heartland and ensures the region continues to play a leading role in our renewable energy future,” he said.
“The Latrobe Valley has been the engine room of Victoria’s power system for more than a century, and we believe the region will play a critical role as Victoria transitions away from fossil fuels towards a system supplied by renewable generation, supported by storage,” SEC Chief Executive Officer Chris Miller added.
“SEC has now committed more than a gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity – a quarter of our 2035 target of 4.5 GW”
FRIENDS of the Earth’s Yes2Renewables campaign also welcomed the SEC announcement.
“This milestone marks a major step toward and will deliver cheaper, cleaner energy for Victoria while ensuring that Latrobe Valley communities directly share in the benefits,” Yes2Renewables Gippsland Organiser Wendy Farmer said.
“The SEC has a proud history in Victoria, once known for doing things differently – innovative, progressive, and committed to the public good.
“The privatisation of the Latrobe Valley power stations in the 1990s shifted energy from public ownership to private international control, leaving the Latrobe Valley with deep social and economic scars.
“Today’s announcement signals a new chapter: one of renewed public ownership, and renewal fairness.”
Friends of the Earth say transitioning to renewable energy is essential, not only for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but to also offer a pathway to build the region’s capacity to thrive into the future.
By creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and protecting the natural landscapes that define the region, this commitment reflects a broader vision where climate action and community wellbeing go hand in hand.
“This is more than an investment in infrastructure – it is an investment in our community. It shows that the government has listened to our call to bring back the SEC,” Ms Farmer said.
“It represents fairness and a future where energy serves people first. For a community that has borne the burden of privatisation, this project offers a chance to begin healing – restoring pride and opportunity while delivering affordable, sustainable power.
“We welcome this with pride, purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility. The SEC investment in Latrobe Valley’s clean energy future reflects what many in the community have long known: our region holds the potential to lead Australia’s energy transition, not just in infrastructure, but in values.”
Frequent letter writer to the Express on energy issues, Adrian Cosgriff also added his thoughts.
“For a century, the Latrobe Valley has powered our nation. Now we’re laying the foundations for the next century – creating long-term benefits for our community and for Australia’s future,” he said.
“This isn’t just about turbines and feasibility studies. It’s about people. It’s about ensuring that the energy powering our homes also empowers our communities. That the jobs created are local, secure, and future-facing. That the landscapes we love are respected, and the voices of residents – especially First Nations custodians – are heard and honoured.”
LOCAL Nationals MP however have warned local residents to not get their hopes up.
Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, questioned what purpose the $650 million investment by the SEC would serve.
“If this project stacks up commercially, then the private sector will fund it and if it doesn’t then why is Labor risking taxpayers’ money on it?
“The Labor government’s SEC policy is a massive sham that promised to reduce electricity prices for all Victorians but has abjectly failed,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Rather than delivering new projects to drive prices down, the government is clearly shopping around taxpayers’ cash to existing projects looking for investors to try and score PR wins.”
Mr O’Brien said state state government needs to explain to the local community around Yinnar, Boolarra and Delburn why it is backing the project against their wishes.
“The local community has waged a campaign against this project, raising genuine concerns about the fire risk of hosting turbines in a pine plantation, as well as noise and visual impact,” he said.
“The Labor government has thumbed its nose at this community so it can be seen to be more green in the city.”
