Queensland LNP approves another massive wind project that was put on ice in January

Another of four major wind farms whose approval process was paused in January by the Queensland LNP government has been cleared for development by the State Assessment and Referral Agency, after more than five months in limbo.

RWE Renewables said on Monday that the 1 gigawatt (GW) Theodore wind and battery project has been given the green light by the state planning authority (SARA) for construction in the Banana Shire in central Queensland.

Located about 22km east of Theodore and 50km south-west of Biloela, the project proposes to pair up to 170 turbines with a battery energy storage system (BESS). It is still awaiting a green light through the federal government’s EPBC Act.

The state approval will come as a relief to RWE, and to the broader wind industry, following a bumpy start to the change of government in Queensland, including retrospective changes to the development application process for wind projects.

The Theodore project was among a group of wind farms temporarily paused by the Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) in January, at the same as it flagged the introduction of strict new wind farm planning rules.

The government has since announced that renewable energy developers in the state must enter into “binding agreements” with local governments, setting out the social impacts and community benefits of projects proposed on their patch, before they can apply for development applications with the state.

The other projects affected by the planning pause were Windlab’s Bungaban and Wongalee wind farms – both 1.4 GW – which got the all-clear in March and May, respectively, and the up to 450 MW Moonlight Range wind farm, which last month had its development application refused.

Theodore wind farm and battery may have had the advantage of being part of a memorandum of understanding between RWE and state-owned generator Stanwell Corporation, for off-take agreements and equity stakes to bolster Stanwell’s plans for a 10GW renewable portfolio.

The MoU, signed in August of 2023, was to focus first on the Theodore wind farm and broaden out to other renewable energy and battery projects Stanwell plans to develop, including up to 3.5GW of storage by 2035.

The CEO of RWE Renewables Australia, Daniel Belton, says the company is thrilled to have state planning approval in the bag for the wind farm, having “proactively worked with the government to ensure we delivered best practice community engagement.”

“RWE has always understood that a key to successfully delivering projects is putting community first, and in line with this philosophy we have developed strong relationships with the community and other stakeholders at Theodore over the past three years,” Belton said in a statement on Monday.

“As we look ahead to commencing construction in 2026, we look forward to continuing to work with Powerlink and the Queensland Government on the infrastructure needed to make this project a success.

“We remain committed to collaborating with the community, government, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders to bring this project to life.”

The Theodore project is expected to generate $500 million into the local and state economy throughout construction and is working up a Community Benefit Fund of at least $500,000 per year, or roughly $17.5 million across the operational life of the wind farm.

If federal approval is granted – the wind farm and battery is on the National Renewable Energy Priority List (Priority List) – RWE says construction would take up to four years and require a workforce of up to 500 people at peak periods.

RWE says it is continuing discussions with Stanwell on offtake for Theodore.

If you wish to support independent media, and accurate information, please consider making a one off donation or becoming a regular supporter of Renew Economy. Your support is invaluable.