The Queensland Government has approved the Tarong West Wind Farm, a 436.5MW project set to drive the state closer to its 70% renewable energy target by 2032 and 80% by 2035 under the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
Publicly owned Stanwell, in partnership with global renewable energy developer RES, will construct the 97-turbine wind farm 30km south-west of Kingaroy. The project will generate enough clean energy to power 230,000 homes and create 200 construction jobs and 15 long-term operational roles.
Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Mick de Brenni said the project would deliver job security and economic benefits to the region.
“Building this major energy infrastructure creates about 200 construction jobs, delivers a financial boost to the region and long-term operations and maintenance roles,” he said.
Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke described the wind farm as critical to Queensland’s renewable future, with Stanwell aiming for 9 to 10 GW of large-scale wind and solar capacity by 2035.
The project, backed by $776.1 million from the Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, is expected to commence construction in 2025, with measures in place to protect koala habitat and local housing supply.