Clarke Creek wind farm: Andrew Twiggy Forrest’s Tattarang, Stanwell and Powerlink turn sod on renewable energy facility construction
Construction has begun on the $3 billion Clarke Creek renewable energy precinct in Central Queensland, which is expected to create 350 jobs and deliver lower power prices. Here’s what it means for local landholders.
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Dongas are being installed on site at the Clarke Creek Wind Farm, to accommodate for the 350 workers who will be involved in the construction of the $3 billion project.
Stakeholders met on Wednesday at the site, two hours north-west of Rockhampton and south of Mackay, to celebrate the commencement of construction.
The project, owned by Squadron Energy, spans across 76,300 hectares on eight private landholdings, on the land of the Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala people.
Robert White’s family property of 10,000 hectares is involved in stage one of the project while nearby neighbour Robert Sherry, who has a similar sized property, is on the northern part of the project in stage two.
The cattle farmers explained the infrastructure would be located on the land they don’t use often.
“I think because the project is so far away from anyone’s house, it’s so far up in the range country that is quite a bit less productive, there wasn’t much thinking that had to take place,” Mr Sherry said.
“Without a doubt, it’s a 100 per cent passive income for us.”
Mr White said the renewable project was positive for everyone.
“We have seen projects happen down south and it’s always been in the media,” he said.
“It benefits the community but it doesn’t personally impact many people in this area.”
Squadron Energy chairman John Hartman said they had worked really closely with the local landholders and traditional owners.
“The idea of the project is to have minimal impact on existing landholders and work really collaboratively to fit it with existing industry in the area,” he said.
The project is the largest grid-connected renewable energy project in Australia and once completed, is estimated to create enough energy to power 660,000 homes, equivalent to 40 per cent of Queensland households.
Stage one is what is now under construction and includes 100 wind turbines that will produce around 450MW of green energy by 2025.
Construction has started on the dongas for the workforce accommodation and preparations for a cement batching plant.
Stanwell Corporation in 2020 secured 346.5MW of the stage one energy output through a Power Purchase Agreement as part of the Queensland Government’s 15 year commitment to the project.
Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said the energy would be aggregated and sold to the company’s commercial and industrial customers through its retail arm.
The company is in negotiations for purchases in stage two of the project.
“It’s a fantastic day to be here, we have been working on this since 2017, five years and another couple of years of construction,” he said.
The wind farm will support 350 construction jobs and inject more than $100 into the local and regional economy.
Stanwell Corporation is also in negotiations with Goldwind to take over the operations and maintenance of the wind farm site once it is operational.
Goldwind is an Australian-owned company and was appointed by Squadron Energy to oversee the construction of the project and supply the wind turbines.
Mr O’Rourke spoke about the company’s transition from coal fired power stations to renewable energy.
“What we would like to be able to do is upskill our employees who are working at the Stanwell Power Station to go and do operations and maintenance at renewable energy projects, including wind and solar,” he said.
ELECTRICITY PRICES
Cost of living and electricity prices were a hot topic and it was asked if the introduction of the new renewable energy from the Clarke Creek Wind Farm would cut down electricity costs.
Squadron Energy has stated previously the project will export lower cost electricity directly into the National Electricity Market, and will help directly lower power prices.
“All energy that is produced will put down the pressure on price and keep the lights on for Queenslanders,” Mr O’Rourke said.
Keppel MP Brittany Lauga attended the event on behalf of Energy Minister Mick de Brenni.
“Cost of living is a big issue for Queenslanders and Australians, but I am really pleased to be here today celebrating a project that hopefully will put downward pressure on electricity prices, by giving a diversity in the energy mix,” she said.
Central Queensland is the heart of coal country, boasting the Bowen Basin which has the largest coal reserves in the country.
Ms Lauga grew up with her Dad working in coal fired power stations and said it was really heartwarming to see the Stanwell Corporation involved in the renewable project.
“It’s a really proud moment to be here,” she said.
“The transition of energy and diversification of energy mix in our region.
“It’s also really important for our region, today Central Queensland is the capital of the renewable energy world and I look forward to this project coming to fruition and the jobs and the economic benefit that it is going to create.”
ANDREW AND NICOLA FORREST’S SQUADRON ENERGY
The energy division of Tattarang, Squadron Energy, acquired the Clarke Creek Wind Farm project in February this year.
Tattarang is a private investment group owned by mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy’ Forrest and his wife Nicola and has more than $30 billion of assets under management in agrifood, energy, resources, property and health technology sectors.
Chairman of Squadron Energy John Hartman said the company intended on becoming one of Australia’s major suppliers for renewable energy.
“This is a pivotal point in time for Queensland renewable energy, this project is part of the transition that we now see being rolled out with over $90 billion dollars of funding required in renewable energy projects in Australia going forward,” he said.
“This $3 billion investment by Tattarang and Squadron Energy is a significant kickstart in the right direction.
“We see multiple projects exactly like this will be required between now and 2030 and 2050, but to have this project kicking off today is really the start of something that Queensland and this region can be proud of.”
He noted the location was chosen due to the night time wind and “great sun” during the day.
“So the project never really stops supplying renewable energy into the grid,” Mr Hartman said.
CLARKE CREEK COMMUNITY BENEFITS FUND
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Squadron Energy announced a newly established community benefits fund that will be launched in the next few weeks.
The fund is planned to inject $200,000 into the region each year through supporting local events and creating initiatives and scholarships.
CLARKE CREEK WIND FARM PROJECT KEY FACTS
- Construction has begun on the $3 billion Clarke Creek renewable energy precinct in Central Queensland
- 350 jobs during construction, 20 – 25 permanent staff employed
- Up to 195 wind turbines and more than 1,000MW total wind energy output
- Estimated to create enough energy to power 660,000 homes, equivalent to 40 per cent of Queensland household
- 2.7 million tonnes of carbon displaced each year, the weight of approximately 100 Sydney Opera House
- To be constructed on 76,300 hectares across eight private landholdings
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