$1.96bn QLD MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct gets development green light

Queensland's State Assessment and Referral Agency has given the green light to the development of Acciona's $1.96 billion MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct at Cement Hills, which includes the construction of two wind farms. 

“Soon there will be 180 wind turbines in the Darling Downs South West region propelling up to 1,026 megawatts of energy into Queensland's electricity network. 

“Once operational the MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to supply about 700,000 Queensland homes,” Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles said. 

This more than a billion-dollar project is also expected to generate up to 400 local jobs during its construction phase along with an additional 240 jobs to deliver the 64-kilometre transmission line and about 14 full-time operational jobs. 

Acciona is also anticipating more than $500 million in local spending during construction, bringing good news for the communities in Southern Downs, Goondiwindi and Toowoomba. 

“I'm pleased that Acciona have committed to our Government's Buy Queensland approach to use a local workforce and suppliers on this $1.96 billion project. 

“This will deliver significant economic benefits for the Darling Downs and beyond, and more renewable megawatts as the state works to reach its 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030,” Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said. 

The new renewable energy precinct will include the 103MW Karara Wind Farm, which is going to be owned and operated by CleanCo Queensland – a Government-owned energy generator. 

In addition, CleanCo will purchase up to 400MW of renewable energy from the MacIntyre Wind Farm annually. 

“CleanCo is proud to be partnering with Acciona to deliver such a significant project in Queensland's renewable energy landscape. 

“With this project we are harnessing wind with a profile that perfectly complements solar energy – that allows us to provide reliable, affordable low-emissions energy to our large commercial and industrial customers using our unique portfolio, and is an important step toward unlocking Queensland's potential to generate and use globally competitive clean energy,” CleanCo CEO Dr Maia Schweizer said. 

[Draft] Proposed project map (source: Acciona Australia)

The MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct development will span 36,000 hectares on a site located approximately 40 kilometres south-west of Warwick. 

The renewable energy precinct is comprised of the 923MW MacIntyre Wind Farm and 103MW Karara Wind Farm – with 162 turbines and 18 turbines respectively – as well as a 64-kilometre overhead transmission line to the Powerlink network near Millmerran. 

“We are excited to be moving forward with this project and are proud to support the Queensland Government's decarbonisation strategy. 

“The Precinct will avoid the emission of nearly 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year,” Acciona's Australian Managing Directir for Energy Brett Wickham said. 

Construction on the MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct is expected to begin in the second half of this year, with the renewable energy project up and running by 2024. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Acciona Australia (1, 2); Queensland Country Life; Renew Economy