Construction starts at Andrew Forrest-backed $3 billion renewable energy precinct

Construction has commenced at what could become Australia’s largest renewable energy project, with works starting on the first stage of the $3 billion, Andrew Forrest-backed, Clarke Creek renewable energy precinct.

On Wednesday, a ground-breaking ceremony formally launched construction for the 450MW first stage, which will involve the construction of 100 wind turbines, and is on track to become Queensland’s second largest wind farm.

The project is being developed by Andrew Forrest’s Squadron Energy venture and will supply around three-quarters of its output to the Queensland government-owned Stanwell Corporation under a 15-year power purchase agreement.

Forrest’s vision for the full Clarke Creek project will include the addition of solar and energy storage capacity – all clustered around a 76,300-hectare site located 150-kilometres north-west of Rockhampton.

Forrest says the project will represent a significant step towards the decarbonisation of Australia’s electricity system

“We will deliver affordable energy for Australian families and industry without destroying the environment like carbon emitting fuels do,” Forrest said.

“When fully operational, Clarke Creek will displace enormous amounts of carbon each year by harnessing the renewable energy of the wind and sun to power our homes and commercial premises, providing cheaper energy without the hidden costs associated with coal-fired power stations.”

The ground breaking ceremony was attended by Squadron Energy chairman John Hartman, newly appointed Squadron CEO Eva Hanly and representatives of the Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala (BKY) Traditional Custodians.

At 450MW, the first wind component of the Clarke Creek project will be slightly smaller than Queensland’s largest wind project – the 453MW Coopers Gap Wind Farm, which itself is set to be surpassed as the country’s biggest wind facility by the Victorian Stockyard Hill wind farm, which at 530MW will be Australia’s largest operating wind farm once its commissioning is completed.

But a planned second phase of the Clarke Creek project, which Forrest has previously indicated will involve the addition of solar and battery storage, is expect to take the project’s total generation capacity to beyond 1,000MW and adding more than 2GWh of storage capacity.

Squadron Energy chairman John Hartman said the combination of wind, solar and storage into a single project would allow the different technologies to complement on another – particularly as the Clarke Creek location features strong night-time winds and good quality day-time solar resources.

“There is currently a large supply gap in wind generation in order to meet 2030 projections due to the electrification of industry and transport, and we believe large energy hubs like Clarke Creek, which leverage multiple technologies and storage to deliver firmed power, are a crucial solution,” Hartman said.

Construction of the first stage of the Clarke Creek wind farm is expected to support the creation of around 350 construction jobs, with between 20 to 25 permanent positions once operational.

Squadron Energy says the full project could supply enough power meet the needs of around 40 per cent of Queensland households, and reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2.7 million tonnes each year.