Queensland govt clears 500-MW wind project by Cubico, REP

Cubico Sustainable Investments and Renewable Energy Partners (REP) have secured planning permission for their 500-MW Wambo wind farm project in Queensland.

To be installed near Jandowae, in Queensland’s Western Downs region, the wind farm will be equipped with up to 110 turbines and will eventually be coupled with 50 MW/200 MWh battery storage and related infrastructure. The capacity will be built in phases, the first one of which will create a 200-MW plant with 35 turbines. Its construction is slated to begin in late 2021 and will be completed in 2023, Cubico said on Wednesday.

When the entire capacity comes online, the 500-MW wind complex will be capable of generating enough electricity to meet the demand of around 170,500 homes per year, offsetting over 1.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The developers noted that the project will be located at a site that boasts “excellent wind resource, strong transmission network, and low environmental impact. A pre-construction community benefit fund has been set up in relation to the project and an expanded fund will be established once the wind complex is operational.

The Wambo project was initially put forward by Renewable Energy Partners in mid-2018, while Cubico joined a year later to be its long-term owner and operator.

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