Vestas Development Australia has acquired the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm in Tasmania from Ark Energy.

The wind farm, located in the Central Highlands region, has a planned generation capacity of up to 300MW, with approval for up to 47 wind turbines.

According to the companies, the project has passed all primary development approvals and is now progressing through further consent processes.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2027, with the wind farm expected to become operational by 2030.

The wind farm, once completed, is expected to generate enough electricity to supply approximately 131,000 average-sized Australian households per year.

The St Patricks Plains Wind Farm project has undergone eight years of planning and environmental approval activities, originally overseen by Epuron and later by Ark Energy.

It was approved by the Central Highlands Council in July 2024. Following an appeal, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal approved it in September 2025.

Commonwealth environmental approval was granted in December 2025 by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Throughout its development, the project’s design was revised in response to eagle utilisation studies, environmental surveys and community input, resulting in a reduced layout from the initial 67 turbines to 47.

Ark Energy Development for Tasmania general manager Donna Bolton said: “Handing the project over to the company that will take it to the next stage of development is an exciting moment for Ark Energy, the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm and for Tasmania.”

The project will include a Neighbour Benefit Programme, community funding and curtailment technology to protect eagles as part of its environmental and social commitments.

Vestas Development Australia’s acquisition of St Patricks Plains adds to its renewable energy development portfolio, which it states now exceeds 13GW nationally.

Following the acquisition, the project will continue to develop detailed engineering and management plans as it advances towards construction.

Last month, Ark Energy secured permission for its Richmond Valley Solar Farm and battery energy storage system in New South Wales to connect to the National Electricity Market.