RES snaps up “iconic” renewable contracts after offshore wind win

UK-based renewables giant RES will take over operation of the ground-breaking Kennedy Energy Park – a world-first hybrid of large-scale wind, solar and battery storage – as part of its purchase of Windlab’s asset management contract book.

The deal, announced on Tuesday, will see RES assume management of a number of key Windlab assets, including the “iconic” Kennedy project, which combines 43.2MW of wind, 15MW of solar and a 2MW/4MWh battery in north Queensland.

The portfolio also includes the five-turbine Coonooer Bridge wind farm in Victoria, itself notable for its combined corporate and community ownership model between Windlab and 30 landowners within 3km of the wind farm.

“This strategic move aligns seamlessly with RES’ vision to provide comprehensive and cutting-edge services for our clients in the Australian renewable energy sector,” said Anthony Berzi, director of support services at RES.

Ararat wind farm, a 240MW project that RES, itself, completed in 2017 in south-western Victoria, is also a part of the contract book acquired from WindLab.

WindLab, which is now owned by owned by Andrew Forrest’s renewables outfit Squadron Energy, did not have an easy time with the development of Kennedy Energy Park (KEP), with an extended dispute with the project’s EPC contractor causing long delays.

Having struck a 10-year power purchase agreement with Queensland government-owned gentailer CS Energy back in 2017, the project was expected to commence operation in 2018, but instead reached that milestone three years late in July 2021.

For RES, the “strategic expansion” of its services portfolio in Australia follows the news last week that an offshore wind project it is proposing to develop with Australian gentailer Origin Energy, called Navigator North, is one of six being considered for a feasibility licence in Victoria’s Gippsland zone.

“RES’ expanded services portfolio underscores its leadership in the renewable energy sector and solidifies RES’ position as a key player in the Australian renewable energy market,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

“RES looks forward to applying its proven expertise in asset management to optimize the performance and longevity of the acquired projects, ensuring maximum return on investment for its clients.”