• Largest wind farm in South Australia and Neoen’s global portfolio, adding over 20% to the state’s wind capacity
• Backed by long-term PPAs with ACT Government, BHP, and Flow Power — including Australia’s first renewable baseload contract
• Delivers AUD 100 million in regional benefits and supports creation of a new national park
South Australia Expands Its Renewable Power Base
French renewable energy developer Neoen has inaugurated its 412 MW Goyder South Wind Farm, now the largest in both South Australia and Neoen’s global portfolio. Situated on Ngadjuri Nation land near Burra in the state’s Mid North, the project comprises 75 turbines and is expected to generate around 1.5 terawatt-hours of electricity annually — enough to boost South Australia’s wind generation by more than 20%.
The wind farm positions the state firmly on course to reach its goal of 100% net renewable generation by 2027, solidifying South Australia’s role as one of the most advanced clean energy markets in the world.
Multi-Sector Partnerships Drive Energy Security
Goyder South is underpinned by three long-term power purchase agreements totaling 210 MW. These include a 14-year, 100 MW contract with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government to advance its 2045 net-zero strategy, and a 10-year, 40 MW supply deal with electricity retailer Flow Power.
Notably, Neoen has also entered into an industry-first renewable energy baseload contract with BHP for 70 MW. Paired with Neoen’s Blyth Battery, the agreement provides consistent clean power for BHP’s Olympic Dam mine — one of the world’s most significant copper, gold, and uranium operations.
Jean-Christophe Cheylus, CEO of Neoen Australia, said the project demonstrates how advanced grid integration and corporate partnerships can accelerate the energy transition. “Goyder South is a credit to South Australia’s world-class wind resources and to the collaboration of our partners — from local landowners to government and industry. It shows how high-quality projects can deliver reliable renewable power at scale.”
Local Economic and Environmental Gains
During construction, the project created more than 400 jobs and now sustains 12 permanent roles. Neoen estimates over AUD 100 million in supply chain value has flowed into South Australia’s Mid North region.
Beyond its economic footprint, Goyder South has supported the establishment of a new national park at Worlds End Gorge and funds an annual AUD 250,000 community benefit-sharing program. These initiatives, developed with local councils and First Nations representatives, are designed to preserve biodiversity and foster long-term regional partnerships.
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Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said Neoen’s investment reflects the growing confidence global developers have in South Australia’s renewables landscape. “We are well on track to meet our 2027 net renewables goal,” he said. “Projects like Goyder South demonstrate the quality of our wind and solar resources, and why investors around the world continue to choose South Australia.”
Goyder South forms part of Neoen’s flagship Goyder Renewables Zone — a hybrid wind, solar, and battery hub that could eventually exceed 1.5 GW of total capacity. Construction of the next phases, Goyder North Wind Farm and Goyder Battery, will expand Neoen’s footprint across the state and strengthen Australia’s grid resilience.
The company, already a key player in large-scale storage with projects like the Hornsdale Power Reserve, is reinforcing its integrated approach by combining generation assets with flexible storage and digital management systems.
Xavier Barbaro, Neoen’s Group CEO, said the project’s success offers a model for future global deployments. “Projects of this scale deliver value to governments, customers, and communities alike,” he said. “Goyder South exemplifies how renewable energy infrastructure can anchor local development while advancing national and international climate goals.”
Global and Regional Implications
With global capital continuing to flow into Australia’s clean energy sector, Neoen’s latest investment underscores how state-level policy and corporate procurement can work together to accelerate decarbonisation. The project contributes directly to both South Australia’s and Australia’s national targets while advancing the country’s credentials as a renewable energy exporter in the Asia-Pacific region.
As more jurisdictions pursue net-zero pathways, the structure of Goyder South’s PPA mix — balancing public sector demand, industrial users, and retail supply — may serve as a template for the next generation of utility-scale renewable assets.
By 2027, if South Australia reaches its 100% renewables target, Goyder South and its companion projects will have played a decisive role in proving that high-penetration clean grids can be both commercially and operationally viable — a lesson with global relevance for investors, regulators, and policymakers driving the transition to low-carbon energy systems.
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