Windlab’s South Queensland Renewable Generation Hub includes individually permitted, wind, solar and storage projects working together within one region.
By taking advantage of the area's natural energy patterns - where wind picks up as the sun goes down - the Hub ensures renewable energy can power the grid around the clock.
The Hub is situated between Wandoan and Taroom on Iman, and Auburn Hawkwood Country, about 450km north-west of Brisbane, within the northern and southern extents of the Western Downs and Banana Shire local government areas respectively.
Projects will coexist alongside several host properties’ long-established cattle operations and connect to the Wandoan South substation via Powerlink’s planned transmission line.
Strategically developing complementary wind, solar and battery storage projects alongside the region’s foundational agricultural industry maximises the valuable use of the land, minimises impact to the community and supports efficient supply of energy to the grid when it’s needed.
Most of The Hub’s projects are still in early concept planning, however Bungaban, a 1.4GW wind energy project, is being assessed by State and Federal governments.
Bungaban represents a major step towards producing large-scale, affordable wind energy to support Australia’s clean energy transition.
Engagement and regulatory approvals are progressing with the project projected to be online and producing clean, low-cost energy for homes and industry by 2029.
The success of our business relies on strong, long-term relationships, and the delivery of equitable benefits that make a difference in the lives of local people in regional and rural Australia.
Over the past year we’ve worked with regional stakeholders to build an understanding of local priorities, while we validate the region’s renewable energy resource potential and complete the early technical work required to support confidence and clarity as we engage with communities.
Our focus is to support the community to participate in the development process to shape responsible renewable energy projects informed by local insight.
We recognise any new development can have an impact, and the utmost care must be taken to protect environment and community values.
Our approach to development is an iterative process that unfolds over several years. Comprehensive technical, environment, and socio-economic studies, together with input from ongoing stakeholder consultation, are essential parts of the process, and this takes time.
We are committed to working with landholders, Traditional Owners, community members, experts and partners to deliver meaningful, equitable benefits, and manage change associated with our projects in a way that is balanced, supported by stakeholders, and backed by science.
For more than 20 years, we have engaged locals in our projects, respected the needs and wishes of communities and taken pride in driving positive socio-economic outcomes for local people in regional Australia.
Born out of the CSIRO, we use our own leading-edge technology and globally recognised expertise to find, develop and operate the best performing renewable energy projects in the world.