Queensland Government-owned energy generator Stanwell has signed a deal with global renewable energy developer RES to acquire the Tarong West Wind Farm in South Burnett.
The project, which recently received development approval, will feature 97 wind turbines and produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 230,000 homes.
A final investment decision is expected in early 2025.
Stanwell CEO, Michael O’Rourke, and RES CEO, Matt Rebbeck, signed the agreement that means Queenslanders will own 100 per cent of the 436.5MW project and the clean energy it produces.
The Queensland Government said the wind farm is expected to bring around 200 construction jobs, hundreds more indirect jobs as well as 15 operational jobs to the South Burnett region.
Queensland Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni, said that Tarong West Wind Farm will be Australia’s largest publicly owned wind farm, which is a game changer for Queensland’s renewable energy future.
“This critical project will deliver not only enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 230,000 homes but it will bring an economic boost to the South Burnett with hundreds of clean energy jobs.
“Keeping Queensland assets in Queensland hands is how we have kept power prices down and it’s how we are going to achieve our renewable energy targets of 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035,” Mr de Brenni said.
Mr O’Rourke said, “Adding the 436.5MW Tarong West Wind Farm project into Stanwell’s renewable energy portfolio is an exciting chapter not only in our renewable energy story, but also Queensland’s.
“It will play a critical role in transitioning our energy portfolio and brings us closer to our goal of having 9–10GW of large-scale wind and solar capacity by 2035.”
Mr O’Rourke said that Stanwell now has more than 4000MW of renewable energy and storage in its portfolio under contract, in development or under construction.
“We will continue to work constructively with RES and in close consultation with the South Burnett community, which we have been a proud part of for four decades, as we develop this project through to final investment decision,” Mr O’Rourke said.
Mr Rebbeck said that RES is excited to reach this significant milestone in the development of the Tarong West Wind Farm.
“It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the project team to progress the development,” Mr Rebbeck said.
“RES is committed to continuing to work with key project stakeholders including the local community, landowners and traditional owners prior to the commencement of construction.
“We welcome Stanwell’s involvement in the project as we work to achieve a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Queensland.”
Image credit: Ian Hitchcock/shutterstock.com
