Publicly-owned CS Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global renewable energy leader EDF Renewables to progress the development of Central Queensland’s Banana Range Wind Farm.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the 230-megawatt project would generate enough cleaner, cheaper energy to power 15,000 homes and will deliver a wind-powered boost to the local economy with 150 new construction jobs.
Palaszczuk said: “The Banana Range Wind Farm is part of the renewable energy revolution happening in Queensland.
“Since 2015, 50 large scale wind and solar farms have been committed with more than $10 billion of investment and supporting 7,900 jobs.
“We expect construction to kick off at Banana Range in 2024 before coming online in 2026 and putting Queensland another step closer to our 50 per cent renewable energy target while providing decent, secure jobs for Queenslanders.”
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the Banana Range Wind Farm adds to the pipeline of renewable energy generation projects diversifying the portfolios of Queensland’s publicly-owned energy companies.
He added: “It also demonstrates their important role in driving the energy transformation in this state.
“With an established presence in Central Queensland, CS Energy can draw on existing skills to build local capacity as part of the renewable revolution.
“With its commitment to local procurement, this project would create secure employment and training opportunities for communities like Biloela, Moura and Gladstone.”
Under the agreement, CS Energy is considering both an offtake agreement and equity participation in the proposed 230-megawatt wind farm project near Biloela.
EDF Renewables Australia chief executive Dave Johnson said the MoU aligned both parties’ common interests in the region.
Johnson said: “CS Energy has an established, long-term presence in the Banana Shire Council district through its Callide Power Station, and EDF Renewables is building a large presence in the same community with the construction of the Banana Range Wind Farm.
“It’s an ideal partnership that brings together like-minded companies working together on common interests, which includes maximising opportunities for the local community through the energy transformation.”
CS Energy chief executive Andrew Bills said the MoU complements recent investments the publicly-owned power company has made in renewable hydrogen and energy storage.
Bills said: “This MoU demonstrates CS Energy’s commitment to securing a balanced mix of energy sources that can meet our customers’ requirements while also supporting Queensland power system security and reliability.”