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ENGIE celebrates the commissioning of Goorambat East Solar Farm (GESF) in northern Victoria
ENGIE has announced that its 250 MW Goorambat East Solar Farm (GESF) in northern Victoria has reached the commissioning stage.
The Goorambat East Solar Farm is a renewable energy project located approximately 12 kilometres north of Benalla and south of Goorambat township in Victoria, on Yorta Yorta Country. ENGIE describes it as its first large-scale solar development in Australia and, at present, the largest solar project in Victoria.
The commissioning stage follows the standard development sequence for large-scale solar projects and represents a transition point where the facility begins testing and connecting to the grid ahead of full commercial operation. ENGIE has said the project supports its broader target of delivering 3 GW of renewable energy capacity in Australia by 2030.
Project overview
The approximately 630-hectare site spans five privately owned rural properties within the Benalla Rural City Council area and can primarily be accessed from Goorambat-Chesney Road, Spinks Lane and Saunders Road.
The project involves the construction, commissioning and operation of a solar farm with a maximum generating capacity of 250 MW.
Around 500,000 solar photovoltaic panels are planned across the 630-hectare site. ENGIE states that the project could generate enough electricity to power up to 105,000 average Victorian homes.
The solar farm will connect to a new Goorambat East Terminal Station located alongside the existing 220 kV transmission line between Shepparton Terminal Station and Dederang Terminal Station.
Project timeline
The Goorambat East Solar Farm project was envisaged by a group of local residents who identified their land as being ideal for a solar farm. A planning permit covering the solar PV array and connection assets was approved by Benalla Rural City Council in December 2019. ENGIE entered into a commercial arrangement with Neoen to acquire the project in 2023. Early works began in March 2024 and were completed in June that year, while construction commenced later in 2024. In October 2024, Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources and the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio joined ENGIE ANZ executives and team members for a sod-turning ceremony.
Community Benefit Fund
As part of the Goorambat East Solar Farm, ENGIE has committed to providing $75,000 per year to the local community for the life of the project (approximately 30 years) once the solar farm became operational. The fund is administered by Bendigo Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation, with key input from the Goorambat East Solar Farm Community Advisory Committee, ensuring funding decisions reflect local needs and priorities.
ENGIE qualifies this project as an example of the energy transition taking shape in Victoria and a reflection of its commitment to building the energy system of the future.
