SEC Back In Gippsland With Major Wind Farm Investment

The Victorian State Government has announced the SEC will invest around $650 million to take over the Delburn Windfarm . The announcement has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth and slammed by the National Party. Read the media release from the Vic Government, The Nationals and Friends of the Earth below

The SEC is back and will soon be generating electricity in Gippsland again thanks to the Allan Labor Government.

Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio announced the SEC will invest around $650 million to take over the Delburn Wind Farm project near the Latrobe Valley – Victoria’s historic power generation hub.

“The SEC is back and it’s powering Gippsland’s future after Jeff Kennett sold it off for profits – now it is creating new jobs and driving investment in renewable energy for Victorians,” Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio said.

“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 said

The project will bring significant local economic benefits, including more than 300 local jobs and more than $22 million in neighbour and community benefit sharing programs over its operational life.

Construction will begin in early 2026 and the wind farm is expected to in operation in 2028. The 33-turbine wind farm 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 Liberal and Nationals 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.

This 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 and driving down prices for Victorians.

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, police stations, trains and more.

But it’s all at risk under the Liberals – they’ll sell off publicly owned renewable energy at their first opportunity. You will pay the price.

The Nationals Member for South Gippsland Danny O’Brien Media release

Labor Government pokes community in eye over Delburn wind farm

THE Labor Government's decision to put taxpayers' money into the Delburn wind farm is a slap in the face for the local community which has fought hard against the project from the beginning.

The Nationals 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.

"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 Labor 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.

"The Labor Government has thumbed its nose at this community so it can be seen to be more green in the city."

Friends of the Earth Welcomes SEC Ownership of Delburn Wind Farm: Jobs, Affordable Energy, and Local Renewal

Friends of the Earth’s Yes2Renewables campaign has welcomed the State Electricity Commission’s (SEC) announcement of the purchase of the Delburn Wind Farm. The Delburn Wind Farm will overlook the Hazelwood Power Station and mine site, in the Latrobe Valley, which was closed in 2017. The project is scheduled to begin early in 2026. 

Wendy Farmer, Yes2Renewables Gippsland Organiser said “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”.

“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”.

Gippsland is on the frontline of climate change impacts, facing increasing risks to its environment, economy, and communities. Transitioning to renewable energy is essential not only for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also offers 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 our region, this commitment reflects a broader vision where climate action and community wellbeing go hand in hand.

Yes2Renewables welcomes the SEC’s commitment to local jobs and procurement, creating opportunities across a diverse range of skills by employing as many local people as possible and sourcing products and services from local businesses wherever possible. This ensures that the economic benefits are felt directly in the communities surrounding the wind farm.

“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. It represents fairness and a future where energy serves people first,” continued Wendy Farmer.                     

“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,” she continued..

“Today’s announcement is more than a technical milestone — it is a signal of intent. It tells us that Gippsland is not just on the map for renewable energy — we are shaping the map. 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” continued Wendy Farmer.

“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,” said Adrian Cosgriff, a local community member.

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.