Mega renewable energy project given the green light by site’s custodians
Construction work on a $5bn Bowen Renewable Energy Hub is a step closer after a land deal was signed with the traditional custodians of the hub site. Read on for more details.
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A $5bn Bowen Renewable Energy Hub took another step towards reality after a land use deal was signed with the traditional custodians of the project site, the Widi People.
The Hub will eventually comprise of two pumped hydro-electric schemes, a wind farm and a solar farm.
The 750mW first stage of the project is expected to create 1200 construction jobs with 200 ongoing jobs and should be completed by 2028.
The Widi Aboriginal Corporation celebrated its signing of a Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with a smoking ceremony in the Eungella Hinterland, where the hub will be located.
Widi spokesman James Sauney said the signing was the result of 12 months of consultation.
“This is a first for Widi. We support the development of renewable energy and reaching targets of zero emissions,” he said.
Under the agreement, educational and training opportunities will be provided to the Widi people and a cultural centre will be built.
The Hub is a joint partnership between Renewable Energy Partners and Bowen River Utilities.
REP chief executive Luke McDonald said they hoped to have the financing arrangements closed by 2024 with construction to start in 2025.
He also highlighted that the Hub was working with Copenhagen Infrastructure IV fund, one of the world’s largest clean energy investors.
“The pumped hydro station is likely to take three years, another 18 months to two years for the wind farm and two years for the solar farm,” he said.
The solar farm is expected to cover “2000 hectares” and deliver 1-3 gW of power.
Stage 2 is expected to deliver an extra 500MW of storage when operational in 2033.
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