A new major milestone has been marked on the $370 million Kaban Green Power Hub in Far North Queensland with Neoen Australia and CleanCo signing a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 110MW of the generated power from the wind farm, giving certainty to the development of the Kaban project.
“Queensland has an economic plan for post-COVID recovery and affordable, reliable energy supply underpins that plan.
“That plan includes supporting emerging industries like renewable energy because that supports jobs.
“This project is proceeding because the power purchase agreement with CleanCo has given Neoen certainty,” Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said.
This is the second agreement signed this year between the project developer and CleanCo.
This renewable energy project is expected to create more than 150 local jobs during construction as well as generate enough energy to power up to 95,900 Queensland homes once operational.
“We are delighted to be working with CleanCo and Powerlink on our second Queensland project together. This agreement underscores our deepening involvement in the State’s clean energy transition, and we are proud to be supporting Queensland’s progress towards its ambitious target of 50% renewable energy by 2030.
“We look forward to Kaban delivering an economic boost to Far North Queensland, supporting the region’s recovery from COVID-19,” Neoen Australia Managing Director Louis de Sambucy said.
In addition to the hundreds of jobs to be supported through construction, local farmers hosting the turbines will also benefit from this project with a diversified revenue from Neoen. The company will also be establishing a $50,000 Community Benefit Fund for local community-building initiatives over the life the project.
The 157MW Kaban Green Power Hub is going to be built near the town of Ravenshoe, approximately 80 kilometres south west of Cairns.
The project will comprise of 28 wind turbines that will be connected into the 275kV overhead transmission line through a new substation.
Early works will commence before the end of 2020, with the new wind farm set to be up and operational in 2023.
Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Neoen; Kaban Green Power Hub; Renew Economy; Inside Construction