An Australian renewable energy company has lodged a state development application for an $800 million project, proposing a wind farm of up to 195 turbines, and potentially around 800MW in installed capacity, in Queensland’s Isaac Region.
Lacour, which has offices in Perth and Brisbane, is also proposing to co-locate at least 200MW of solar PV alongside the wind farm, and potentially a battery storage system.
According to the project website, the wind and solar farm are currently in the feasibility phase, with work being undertaken on the technical, environmental, social and economic aspects of the project.
“If the feasibility demonstrates a viable project then it is intended that construction would commence in 2019,” the company said.
As proposed, the wind farm would extend across the land of eight local families, with the turbines located on a mountain range located roughly halfway between Rockhampton and Mackay.
The solar solar farm would be installed on the lower ground, near the Marlborough-Sarina Road.
Project leader Mark Rayner, who got his start in renewables 20 years ago with HydroTasmania, said the site had been chosen for its high wind and solar resources, and location next to the existing high voltage electricity transmission “backbone” of the local network.
“The wind and solar farms would be co-located, but they are separate projects,” Rayner told RenewEconomy.
The construction period for the entire project will be over three years and it is likely that construction will occur in stages.
The wind and solar farm is currently in the feasibility phase with work being undertaken on the technical, environmental, social and economic aspects of the project. If the feasibility demonstrates a viable project then it is intended that construction would commence in 2019.
