The huge project saw the transformer arrive in Melbourne from Shanghai, before completing the journey to Elmhurst via Ararat.

Powercor Energy Solutions general manager Glen Thomson said the arrival was an important part of the Ararat Wind Farm project.

“The piece of equipment you saw is a very critical piece of machinery for the Ararat terminal station and the wind farm,” he said.

“If you can imagine 150 cars stacked on top of each other, that is how much that weighs,” he said.

Mr Thomson said the work could not have been done without the valuable assistance of Elmhurst community members.

“We want to thank the wider community in the surrounding shires for accommodating the work force,” he said.

“It is not without recognition that this project is incredibly well received by the local community.

“We hope you have benefited from it.

“We can’t build this infrastructure without your support and it is well and truly appreciated.”

Ararat Rural City Council mayor Paul Hooper said the arrival of the transformer was a key part in the project to build one of Australia’s biggest wind farms.

“It will be the third largest wind farm in Australia when constructed,” he said,

“It is a $400 million investment, not just in Ararat but also the Pyrenees Shire Council and right here in Elmhurst.

“It would have made a hell of a sight coming through Ararat today.

“Thousands of people would have seen it coming through the Western highway.”

The transformer for Ararat Wind Farm was designed by Powercor Network Services, along with the terminal station at Elmhurst where it will be placed.

Ararat Wind Farm expects to produce enough electricity to power around 120,000 Victorian homes each year.

The next major step will be the arrival of turbine blades.