Construction of a new solar farm and battery at Nhill is now complete and has successfully connected to the electricity grid – supplying cheap renewable energy to power operations at Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater).
This Nhill Renewable Energy Facility covers 70 percent of the electricity consumed by GWMWater’s 330 sites, propelling the water corporation toward achieving 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025 and reaching net zero emissions by 2035.
The facility comprises 6.5 megawatt (MW) solar farm with a 2.75 MW (6.5 MWh) battery system fully integrated and connected to the local grid.
This investment in renewable energy will help lower power bills for GWMWater, which means they can continue to deliver affordable water and sewer services to the community.
The facility is being jointly developed, owned and operated between GWMWater and Vibe Energy, an energy infrastructure company based in South Australia.
The energisation of the Vibe Energy high-voltage connection asset is the first stage in the commissioning of the Nhill Renewable Energy Facility, and a major milestone for the project.
The project is expected to be fully commissioned by mid-2025.
Victoria is on track to reach its target of 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2045.
This article appeared in Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 28 May 2025.
