Australia’s first commercial wind farm, a pioneer in the country’s renewable energy landscape, is preparing for a major transformation as it begins the process of dismantling its aging turbines. Located on the lush, rolling hills near Port Fairy in southwest Victoria, the Codrington Wind Farm, owned and operated by Pacific Blue, has stood as a symbol of green innovation for over two decades.

Known for its nearly ideal conditions for wind power generation, the site has faithfully produced enough clean electricity to supply 10,000 homes annually while offsetting nearly 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Now, nearly 24 years after the wind farm first began operating, its 14 turbines, each standing 50 meters tall, are nearing the end of their projected 20-year lifespan and are set to be carefully taken down. Rather than using explosives or other disruptive demolition methods, Pacific Blue has committed to a more responsible and community-conscious approach by using cranes to disassemble each turbine on site.

This reverse-assembly method mirrors the original construction process, and according to Pacific Blue, represents their ambition to be a leader in renewable energy not just in the development phase but throughout the entire life cycle of their infrastructure. A spokesperson for the company explained to Renew Economy that all turbines at Codrington will be methodically taken apart using cranes, a process that requires significant planning, technical skill, and a strong focus on safety and environmental preservation. The company believes this strategy, although complex and time-consuming, will better align with the values of the surrounding community, many of whom have lived with and supported the wind farm since its early days.

The decision to dismantle the turbines with such care is a reflection of Pacific Blue’s broader vision for sustainability—an approach that does not end with power generation but continues through the retirement and repurposing of aging infrastructure. The undertaking is substantial and will involve multiple teams working in coordination to ensure that each turbine is deconstructed efficiently and with minimal disruption to the environment or nearby residents. This thoughtful method also provides an opportunity to examine the next steps in renewable energy for the region, possibly paving the way for new, more advanced turbines or alternative clean energy installations in the future.

Codrington Wind Farm was a groundbreaking project when it launched, showcasing the viability of wind power in Australia and helping to shift public perception toward more sustainable energy sources. Its impact went beyond the electricity it generated, serving as a model for similar projects and proving that wind farms could operate in harmony with local communities and ecosystems. Now, as the turbines come down, Codrington once again stands at the forefront of renewable energy development—this time by setting a precedent for how to responsibly retire aging assets. The end of the wind farm’s operational life is not a failure but rather a natural progression in the evolution of renewable energy technology. Just as these turbines once represented the cutting edge of clean energy, their careful removal highlights the importance of closing the loop and ensuring that every stage of a project—from construction to decommissioning—is guided by sustainability and respect for the land and people involved. For residents of Port Fairy and the broader renewable energy community, this moment is both nostalgic and forward-looking. The turbines that have long been a fixture of the landscape are leaving, but they do so with dignity and purpose, reminding everyone that progress also means knowing when and how to responsibly move on. Pacific Blue’s commitment to disassembling the turbines with care reflects a maturity in the renewables sector, demonstrating that true leadership means thinking not just about how we start projects, but how we finish them. As the cranes rise to begin this next chapter, the Codrington Wind Farm’s legacy as a trailblazer continues—this time, by showing how to bring a groundbreaking era to a respectful and sustainable close.