Significant funding injection valued at $776 million has been announced for the proposed Tarong West Wind Farm in the Sout Burnett region of Queensland – which is set to become Australia’s largest publicly owned wind farm.
The Tarong West Wind Farm is going to be built by the publicly owned company Stanwell Corporation along with its development partner RES.
“This project with up to 150 turbines could generate 500MW capacity, enough clean electricity to power 230,000 homes.
“It will also create around 200 jobs during construction and 15 ongoing jobs when operational.
“It’s investments like this that will ensure we deliver on our net-zero ambitions and our promise to Queenslanders to become a global renewable energy superpower,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
The funding for the new renewable energy project is part of the $2 billion Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.
Tarong West Wind Farm is expected to boost Stanwell’s current portfolio of assets as well as provide substantial commercial value.
Treasurer Cameron Dick said: “Ownership of Tarong West Wind Farm ensures Stanwell Corporation will have dispatch control of significant renewable generation capacity.”
The Tarong West project is going to be located approximately 30 kilometres south-west of Kingaroy.
Once up and running, the wind farm is expected to support the decarbonisation of Stanwell’s existing portfolio while enabling the company to meet the demands for cleaner energy and delivering future career development opportunities.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Stanwell and the transformation of our business,” Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said.
Stanwell’s development partner RES is also looking forward to taking part in the delivery of the Tarong West Wind Farm project.
“We are delighted that the project has been selected for potential funding through the forward-looking Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund,” RES Australia CEO Matt Rebbeck said.
Stanwell Corporation was progressing discussions with several renewable energy project proponents – including RES – with a view to diversifying the company’s energy portfolio and provide opportunities for its people.
“The energy market is changing, and so are we.
“We’re working together with government, our customers, our communities and our people to transform our business, and bring long-term economic prosperity and jobs to Queensland.
“Strategic partnerships with renewable energy projects such as Tarong West Wind Farm, are critical to us supporting our customers decarbonisation goals, as well as our own.
“We are investing in Queensland’s renewable energy future and ensuring that opportunities arising from the next wave of renewable projects provide benefits for Queensland communities, workers and our economy,” Mr O’Rourke said.
The site where the Tarong West Wind Farm is going to be built on is part of the Southern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone, one of three regions in the State designated to help accelerate the delivery of clean energy projects.
Final Investment Decision for Tarong West Wind Farm is anticipated to be reached in the second quarter of 2024, with construction to commence in the same year.
The large-scale wind farm is due to be commercially operational by 2026.
Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Stanwell Corporation (1, 2); Australian Manufacturing; southburnett.com.au; Renew Economy; Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline