Big win for Fortescue as massive 800 MW wind farm gets federal green light

Andrew Forrest’s iron ore and green energy group has notched up a fresh win in pursuit of “real zero,” after its 800 megawatt Prairie wind farm proposed for construction in north west Queensland was awarded federal environmental approval.

The project was approved last week under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, subject to a range of detailed conditions including limits to how much koala habitat can be cleared and to how close the project’s turbines can get to falcon and goshawk nests.

The huge wind farm is being developed by Windlab on “an active cattle property” in the Flinders Shire, around 340km south-west of Townsville.

Windlab is majority owned by Forrest’s private interest, but ownership of this particular wind farm was transferred to Fortescue midway through last year.

Windlab describes the Prairie project as part of the North Queensland Super Hub, a “high-yield, multi-gigawatt resource …ideally suited for multiple offtake opportunities, while being compatible with existing agricultural land use.”

In a statement issued last week, Windlab CEO John Martin said the federal green tick marked a “significant milestone” for the company and was a testament to the long-time developer’s commitment to environmentally sound practices and strong community support.

“Securing EPBC Act approval reflects around four years of detailed responsible design, and over two years environmental scrutiny, and consultation,” Martin said. 

“We are committed to achieving better outcomes for both nature and communities, going beyond just reducing emissions.

“By collaborating closely with communities and prioritising sustainable practices, we demonstrate how renewable energy can harmoniously coexist with the land while also fostering sustainable and equitable regional economic opportunities for everyone.”

Martin says the Prairie project is expected to create around 500 jobs and inject more than $400 million into regional Queensland through employment, supply, and contracting opportunities.

“We share a long history with the Flinders Shire, having identified and proved the region’s strategically critical renewable energy resource around 15 years ago through the development of our pioneering Kennedy Energy Park,” he said last week.

For Fortescue the Prairie wind farm, alongside the up to 1.4 gigawatt Wongalee wind farm near Hughenden, could be used to provide electrons to power the company’s operations or to its green hydrogen ambitions.

In July, Fortescue Energy boss Mark Hutchinson told analysts and media that – to this end – a lot would depend on the progress of Queensland’s Copperstring 2.0 transmission project, which will help unlock renewable and vast mineral projects in the state’s north west.