Australia’s biggest wind project aims for 2027 construction start after federal green tick

The 1.4 gigawatt (GW) Bungaban wind project, likely to be Australia’s largest wind farm when completed, at least for a time, is expected to begin construction in 2027 after receiving a green tick from the federal government under its EPBC review.

Bungaban is one of several gigawatt-scale wind, solar and battery projects that have been contracted by Rio Tinto to replace the ageing Gladstone coal fired power generator to provide green power to the company’s smelters and refineries, the biggest energy consumers in the state.

The approval for Bungaban was announced on Friday by environment minister Murray Watt, who said it was the 50th renewable energy project approved in Queensland since the federal Labor government was elected in 2022, and the 152nd across the country.

Bungaban, located between Wandoan and Taroom in the western downs region, is being jointly developed by Windlab and its former major shareholder, Andrew Forrest’s Squadron Energy, Windlab CEO John Martin told Renew Economy he expects financial close and construction to begin in 2027.

The last remaining piece of the jigsaw (or the 42 spinning plates that Martin referred to in an interview with Renew Economy last week) is federal EPBC approval for the 80 km transmission line to be built by Powerlink to connect the project to the grid.

That transmission line will also allow the two companies to go ahead with the 500 MW Bungaban solar and battery hybrid, which will be built within the wind farm precinct. EPBC approval for that part of the project was delivered in just 20 days.

Martin says the inclusion of solar and battery storage (likely creating the country’s biggest wind, solar and battery hybrid), will save on connection costs, fill in the daytime gaps in wind output and also negate the need for a costly synchronous condenser because of its use of grid forming inverters.

The federal government on Friday also gave a federal green tick to Windlab’s Wongalee wind project – also sized at 1.4 gigawatts – although that project, located near Hughenden, is dependent on the construction of the proposed Copperstriing 2.0 transmission link between Townsville and Mt Isa, as is Prairie, another big Windlab wind project.

A spokesperson for Squadron Energy told Renew Economy that the Bungaban wind project should be producing power in 2030, a year after the planned closure of the Gladstone coal generator.

In a statement, Kimberly Cram, the project director of the Bungaban Joint Venture, said the project’s significance extends beyond its scale, reflecting years of work to balance environmental, community, and economic outcomes.

“Bungaban Wind is significant not only because of its scale and generation capacity, but because of the care that has gone into its development,” Cram said.

“Through our extensive environmental assessment and engagement with host landholders, Traditional Owners, and local communities, we’ve worked to understand local priorities and shape a project grounded in local alignment.

“The result is a project that can deliver clean energy, regional investment, and long-term community benefits while respecting the environmental and agricultural values that make this part of Queensland special.“

The project is expected to deliver more than $50 million in community and First Nations benefits, including through a Community Benefit Fund, First Nations Benefits Fund, Good Neighbour Shared Benefit Program and legacy initiatives.

The approval was welcomed by local government leaders across the region, who recognised the project’s contribution to jobs, investment and long-term economic growth. 

“As The Energy Capital of Queensland, this approval is a step towards yet another great opportunity for the Western Downs and provides certainty to the residents of Wandoan and surrounds,” said Western Downs regional council mayor Andrew Smith.

Nev G Ferrier the mayor of Banana Shire Council, said the approval was an important milestone for both the project and the region.

“The Bungaban Wind team have been excellent to work with and have demonstrated a genuine commitment to engaging with the local community throughout the development process,” Ferrier said.

“We’ve received positive feedback from neighbouring landholders, and the project team has worked hard to build strong relationships and address concerns where they have arisen.

And Gladstone mayor Matt Burnett said the project would help support long-term economic growth and energy security for major regional industry.

“Securing this energy supply for Rio Tinto’s operations in Central Queensland also ensure local workers have job security for many years to come,” he said in a statement.

See also: “Cut the BS … and please understand what you’re dealing with:” Wind and solar developers come face to face with new reality

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