The $1bn project comprising 140 Vestas V112-3.0 MW wind turbine generators was constructed by a Vestas-Leighton Contractors consortium near Hamilton, Melbourne in the state of Victoria.
Commenting on the occasion, AGL managing director and CEO Michael Fraser stated that the development of the project got bi-partisan political support for country’s 2020 Renewable Energy Target.
"Projects like this also don’t happen without support from all levels of government, in this case including support from federal, state and local governments," added Fraser.
Congratulating the developers, Federal Minister for Resources and Energy Gary Gray added: "The Macarthur Wind Farm is a major investment in clean, renewable Australian energy and in the social and economic development of this community.
"With a project value of about $1 billion, it is the largest wind farm in the entire Southern Hemisphere," noted Gray.
Meanwhile, the Macarthur project is expected to meet the power requirements of 220,000 average Victorian homes, besides reducing 1.7 million tons of greenhouse gases every year.
