Publicly owned Stanwell is working with global renewable energy developer RES to build the proposed 436.5MW wind farm which is located 30 kilometres south-west of Kingaroy.
The project will feature 97 wind turbines and produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 230,000 homes.
The Tarong West Wind Farm is a critical part of not only Stanwell’s plan to decarbonise our existing portfolio, but it’s critical to Queensland reaching its renewable energy targets,” said, Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke.
“The 436.5MW wind farm will not only provide enough clean energy into the network to power the equivalent of 230,000 homes, it will also bring significant regional benefits to the community and also provide future career opportunities for our people.”
The project will provide big opportunities for the economy and is estimated to create approximately 200 jobs during construction and 15 ongoing operational roles.
“Building this major energy infrastructure creates about 200 construction jobs, delivers a financial boost to the region and long-term operations and maintenance roles,” said minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni.
Tarong West Wind Farm is backed by $776.1 million from the Queensland Government’s Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.
The assessment considered an accommodation strategy for workers to ensure housing supply in the region will not be adversely affected.
SARA has worked closely with the Department of Resources to ensure that the development helps protect important areas of ecological significance including protecting up to 13.47ha of koala habitat.
Conditions have been imposed for offsetting impacts for up to 5.4 ha of Koala habitat in addition to requirements to rehabilitate areas cleared during construction, to the greatest extent possible.
Construction is expected to commence from 2025.