Major Step Forward For Wind Farm

FLASHBACK: RES Lead Project Manager Toby Coates at the site of the proposed wind farm near Ironpot

July 31, 2024

The Tarong West Wind Farm project at Ironpot has taken a major step forward with the State Government’s approval of a Development Application for the project.

On July 25, the State Assessment and Referral Agency approved the application by RES Australia Pty Ltd for a material change of use for the site, subject to several conditions.

RES plans to build a 97-turbine wind farm producing 436.5MW about 30km west of Kingaroy which will become part of Stanwell Corporation’s renewable energy portfolio.

The State Government will invest $776 million into the project.

The site consists of about 19,000ha of predominantly cleared farmland used for grazing; the actual project will cover less than 2 per cent of this area.

Conditions for the Development Application include the preparation of a vegetation and fauna management plan, as well as standard safeguards linked to aviation safety.

Although the approval is a key milestone for the project, RES still has to gain a final tick from the Federal Government.

The company has drafted a Public Environment Report as part of this EPBC Act assessment.

If the project receives this green light, RES hopes to begin construction late this year or early next year, with the wind farm becoming operational in early 2027.

The Development Application approval will lapse if work on the project does not start within six years.

RES plans to create a community benefit fund that would provide a stream of ongoing annual payments to properties neighbouring the wind farm once construction begins, and a second grants stream that would help support local community groups.