Australia's Oldest Wind Turbine to Retire After Nearly 40 Years of Service

Australia’s oldest wind turbine, located near the Black Rock water treatment plant in Victoria, is set to be decommissioned after nearly four decades of operation. Installed in 1987 in Connewarre, south of Geelong, the Breamlea wind generator was originally a demonstration project by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and the Victorian Solar Energy Council.

The turbine, manufactured by Westwind in Western Australia, is relatively small by today’s standards, producing only 60 kilowatts (kW) of power. Despite its modest size, the turbine has been an enduring symbol of renewable energy progress in Australia. Barwon Water, the current owner of the turbine, announced that due to the unavailability of replacement parts, it is no longer feasible to keep the turbine operational.

“While the wind turbine holds significant local and historical value, maintaining it is neither technically nor financially viable,” said Seamus Butcher of Barwon Water. The utility has begun engaging with community groups to discuss ways to honor the turbine's cultural significance.

Barwon Water acquired the wind turbine in 2003, after an electrical generator failure, and brought it back online in 2004. Even in its later years, the turbine was able to generate around 80,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, providing power to as many as 14 homes at its peak.

Dismantling of the turbine is scheduled to begin by the end of 2024. The retirement of this iconic wind turbine marks the end of an era, but Barwon Water remains committed to renewable energy. The utility currently owns 25 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity, including the 3 MW Black Rock solar farm, a 1 MW biogas generator in Colac, and shares in the 132 MW Mt Gellibrand wind farm and the 200 MW Kiamal solar farm.

As Australia’s renewable energy landscape evolves, the decommissioning of its oldest wind turbine is a reminder of how far the country has come in its pursuit of clean energy. Though small, the Breamlea wind generator played a crucial role in shaping the future of wind energy in Australia. Its legacy will be honored as the nation continues to transition toward more sustainable power sources.

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