Stage 2 of the Wambo Wind Farm project gets the green light

The Wambo Wind Farm in Queensland is doubled in size following the confirmation of the second stage of the jointly owned renewable energy project. 

Wambo Wind Farm – which is located near Jandowae in the Western Downs region – is being built by joint venture partners Cubico Sustainable Investments and Stanwell Corporation Limited. 

The second stage of the wind farm will deliver an additional 41 wind turbines, generating another 254.2MW of renewable energy. This stage of the project is backed by a $263.3 million funding commitment from the Queensland Government’s through the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund. 

“Wambo Wind Farm is a significant project in Queensland’s renewable energy pipeline. Through the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan we are delivering clean energy, jobs and economic opportunities for our regions, and that’s exactly what Wambo Wind Farm offers. 

“The Miles Government is investing in projects that will ensure our energy system is powered by 80 per cent renewable energy by 2035 maintaining public ownership of our critical energy generating assets. 

“An additional 254.2MW will not only deliver clean energy for large commercial and industrial customers in Queensland, it will also unlock more jobs and continued investment in the Western Downs region,” Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Mick de Brenni said. 

Project map (source: Wambo Wind Farm)

With Stage 2 confirmed, Wambo Wind Farm will now have a total of 83 Vestas wind turbines that will supply more than 500MW of clean energy to the National Electricity Market. The wind turbines will be some of Australia’s largest, with each turbine standing at 247-metres-tall. 

In addition to the wind farm, Powerlink is undertaking the construction of a 50-kilometre transmission line that will connect Wambo Wind Farm to the electricity grid. 

“Wambo Wind Farm is another step in the right direction when it comes to Stanwell’s rapidly advancing portfolio of renewable energy assets. It is the 14th renewable energy project in Queensland in which we have an interest or offtake and moves us one step – or 41 turbines – closer to our strategic target of 9 to 10GW of clean renewable energy by 2035. 

“We are thrilled to partner with global clean energy leader, Cubico Sustainable Investments on the next stage of Wambo Wind Farm as we know they bring the right mix of industry expertise and innovation to this project, along with a genuine commitment to sharing the benefit of the renewable energy transformation with Queensland’s vibrant regional communities,” Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said. 

The Wambo Wind Farm project is anticipated to support more than 200 jobs during its construction and a further eight ongoing jobs once operational. 

Construction is already underway on Stage 1 and it is expected to be up and running by 2025. However, construction on Stage 2 is scheduled to begin in mid-2024 and be operational in 2026. 

Under their joint venture agreement, Stanwell will own 50 per cent of the energy produced by Wambo Wind Farm, and will purchase the remaining power from Cubico under a 15-year power purchase agreement. 

“As a world leading renewable energy company, Cubico is proud of our role assisting Queensland to achieve its ambitious renewables goals, with over 500MW in construction to date. Cubico’s pipeline of development projects is at 2GW and growing, signalling our commitment to being a key partner in the decarbonisation of Queensland’s and Australia’s energy landscape and a long-term partner for local communities. 

“Cubico is proud to be partnering with Stanwell with the expansion of Wmabo Wind Farm to further deliver upon the Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan,” Cubico Head of Country David Smith said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Stanwell Corporation Limited (1, 2); Wambo Wind Farm; Renew Economy; Renewables Now