In a major move toward Australia’s clean energy future, Gamuda Holdings Pty Ltd, a wholly owned Australian subsidiary of Gamuda, has signed a landmark agreement with leading Tasmanian landowners to co-develop a major portfolio of renewable energy projects in Central Tasmania.
The agreement, involving prominent local landowners the Downie Family and development partner Alternate Path, encompasses a combined capacity of 600 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar generation and up to 600 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
The portfolio currently includes the Weasel Solar Farm and Cellars Hill Wind Farm, with development planning shaped in close collaboration with local landowners, community, and government stakeholders to ensure the projects are environmentally sensitive and deliver substantial regional benefits.
At the heart of the initiative is its landowner-led model.
The Downie Family, who have maintained pastoral land in Tasmania for more than 200 years, are central to the project’s leadership.
Project planning has emphasised local collaboration, aiming to generate new jobs, support local economic growth, and provide energy rebates to households within a 12km radius of the sites.
Peter Downie, representing the family and local community, described the partnership as a “win-win-win for landowners, the community and Gamuda.”
He explained: “We have been highly selective in finding the right partner to work with us to develop this portfolio that brings both a financial and technical contribution and is wholly committed to the strong social licence and landowner-led principles of these projects.
“We have been in discussion with Gamuda for many months and have seen their genuine partnership approach and commitment to our community values.
“We’re excited to move forward together to deliver these projects for the benefit of Tasmanians.”
Gamuda will take an equity stake in the portfolio, securing development rights for both current and future projects, which it will deliver under sole-source Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts.
This sets up a pipeline of energy construction work expected to continue through to 2029.
The agreement remains subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval.
This partnership marks Gamuda’s first major investment in renewable energy development in Australia, forming a key part of its strategy to support the nation’s energy transition.
Over the past 18 months, Gamuda has been expanding its energy sector capability, investing in “shovel ready” wind and solar projects, and bidding for EPC contracts across renewable, pumped hydro, and transmission projects.
Notably, the company is already involved in early contractor agreements for Alinta Energy’s Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Project in New South Wales and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partner’s Capricornia Energy Hub in Queensland.
Jarred Hardman, Gamuda’s Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, emphasised the alignment with the company’s Australian vision: “This deal represents our first Australian investment and aligns with our goal to invest and construct high-quality energy projects to diversify and grow our Australian business.
“This builds upon our ongoing success in the Australian infrastructure market where we are delivering a $4.5bn pipeline and is supported by our energy experience across a range of projects internationally.”
Pending further planning and regulatory approval, construction of the Weasel Solar Farm is expected to commence in FY 2027, with the Cellars Hill Wind Farm following in FY 2028.
Key Project Highlights
- Partners: Gamuda Holdings Pty Ltd, Downie Family, Alternate Path
- Portfolio Capacity: 600 MW wind & solar, up to 600 MW BESS
- Community Benefits: Local job creation, environmental sensitivity, energy rebates within 12km
- Next Milestones: Weasel Solar Farm (FY 2027), Cellars Hill Wind Farm (FY 2028)