Queensland powers up 157-MW wind farm to kick off SuperGrid

The 157-MW Kaban wind farm in Far North Queensland, serving as the cornerstone project of the state’s first renewable energy zone, has been energised and officially connected to the new Queensland SuperGrid.

The wind farm’s connection marks the start of construction of the SuperGrid, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said today as she powered up the plant along with other state government leaders. The project now has 16 of its 28 turbines installed.

The AUD-373-million (USD 241m/EUR 247m) wind power facility makes up the Kaban Green Power Hub, which is part of the Northern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone. The hub, which also includes a network upgrade, is being developed by France’s Neoen SA (EPA:NEOEN). All of its electricity will be purchased by publicly owned CleanCo.

“The Kaban Green Power Hub being energised via Powerlink’s Tumoulin Switching Station means clean energy is being injected into the new Queensland SuperGrid,” Palaszczuk said.

The project is part of the AUD-62-billion energy and jobs plan that the Queensland government unveiled last week as an ambition to build a renewables-based SuperGrid and reduce reliance on coal-fired power generation by 2035.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the government is investing AUD 700 million in North Queensland’s transmission network over the next five years, which will unlock an additional 500 MW of renewables capacity in the region.

(AUD 1 = USD 0.645/EUR 0.661)

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