ACEN Australia’s 900MW Robbins Island Wind Project Secures Federal Green Light

ACEN Australia’s ambitious 900MW Robbins Island Wind project has received Federal Government approval, unlocking what is set to be one of largest-ever private investments in Tasmania and positioning the island state at the forefront of Australia’s clean energy transition.

A $3 Billion Boost for Tasmania’s Clean Energy Future

Valued at USD 3 billion, the ACEN Australia's Robbins Island Wind project is designed to generate enough renewable power for up to 500,000 homes. 

The construction phase is expected to inject more than USD 30 million into the local economy every year, supported by a separate USD 27 million community benefits program targeted at the Circular Head region.

ACEN Australia Managing Director David Pollington emphasised that the approval comes after more than eight years of comprehensive environmental and governmental reviews, making it one of the most closely studied renewable projects in Australian history. 

Addressing Australia’s Energy Transition

Pollington highlighted the project’s significance at a time when Australia faces both a slowing energy transition and looming power shortages as coal-fired plants retire. 

“The decision shows that large, complex projects can be delivered responsibly, balancing overall impacts and conserving biodiversity, with the need for clean energy to address climate change,” he noted.

He further stressed that the wind farm’s exceptional wind resource will deliver 30 percent more power than average Australian projects of equivalent scale. As a result, the Robbins Island installation will provide low-cost, renewable baseload electricity, allowing Tasmania’s hydro resources to shift towards more flexible, on-demand generation and grid storage.

Transmission and Timeline

The wind farm’s connection to the grid is set to follow a separate approvals process, with decisions expected in 2026. If approval proceeds as planned, the project is on track to begin delivering clean power by 2030. 

This timing is vital not just for Tasmania, but also for states like Victoria, which faces the retirement of half its coal-fired generation fleet by 2035.

The Robbins Island Wind project is set to play a major role in meeting both state and federal emissions reduction commitments, including Tasmania’s drive to double its clean energy output by 2040 and halve emissions by 2030. 

The wind farm will support more than half of Tasmania’s 2030 emissions target single-handedly, the official statement said.