1.2 GW wind farm in Australia receives approval

Last week the Queensland Government in Australia has granted development approval for 1.2 GW Forest Wind project, one of the largest grid-connected wind farms in the southern hemisphere.

The facility will be installed in the Wide Bay-Burnett region in a state pine forest between Gympie and Maryborough.

The wind farm is proposed to comprise of up to 226 turbines and is valued at around AUD2 billion (US$1.3 billion). The project could increase Queensland’s installed power generation capacity by approximately nine percent.

The Forest Wind project was proposed by Forest Wind Holdings, a joint venture between CleanSight and investors Siemens Financial services.

Subject to final consideration and the company finalizing all contractual agreements, construction on the project could commence as early as the fourth quarter of 2020.

Forest Wind Holdings Chairman James Pennay said the project’s location has been carefully selected to take advantage of the plantation’s large working environment: “We have established a three-kilometer separation distance from residents to wind turbines to ensure industry, the local community and the environment can coexist harmoniously.”

If the project proceeds, it could create around 440 jobs during construction and a further 50 full-time jobs during operation. Forest Wind capacity of 1.2 GW will be enough to supply one in four homes in Queensland. “This is enough power for all homes across the Wide Bay-Burnett, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast combined," said Minister for Planning Cameron Dick.