Kennedy energy operation ready for lift-off

The $160 million Kennedy Energy Park is expected to begin commercial operations early next year, as the region takes centre stage in plans for a renewable energy Super Hub to pump out more than 10 gigawatts of power. As part of this week’s Regional Community Forum in Hughenden, MPs and a group of North Queensland locals toured the Kennedy Energy Park. The project – which combines 43 megawatts (MW) of wind, 15 MW of solar and a 2 MW/4MWh battery – is the first to combine all three technologies at this scale in Australia’s National Electricity Market. Employment and Small Business Minister Di Farmer congratulated joint owners Windlab and Eurus Energy on the project, which is in the final testing and commissioning phase. “The $160 million Kennedy Energy Park is part of a wave of renewable energy investment in North Queensland that has occurred under the Palaszczuk Government,” Ms Farmer said. “Our planned SuperGrid will unlock even more renewables in the region by strengthening the Hughenden to Townsville connection with a high-voltage transmission line that can move larger volumes of energy.” Fortescue Future Industries and Windlab this week announced plans for a North Queensland Super Hub to pump out renewable energy and support large-scale green hydrogen production. The first stage of the development will include the 800MW Prairie wind farm and the 1000MW Wongalee project, both in the Prairie area, about 300km south-west of Townsville. Windlab chief executive officer John Martin said Kennedy Energy Park was an important early step in the company’s ambition to deliver 20 per cent of Australia’s new green energy generation over the next 10 years. “The enormous renewable energy potential of Hughenden and the Flinders Shire means this region is a strategically critical part of our development strategy,” Mr Martin said. “Windlab’s decade-long presence in the Hughenden region and the partnerships we have built over that time mean we’re uniquely positioned to make the most of this exciting opportunity to unlock the region’s potential, delivering benefits we can all share. “We look forward to working with the Queensland Government to support the implementation of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which will be key to placing downward pressure on energy costs, and achieving our state, national and global decarbonisation commitments.” CS Energy has an offtake agreement with Windlab which includes 100 per cent of the output of Kennedy Energy Park. Employment and Small Business Minister Di Farmer, Treasury Assistant Minister Charis Mullen, and Member for Mundingburra Les Walker at the Kennedy Energy Park.

Kennedy energy operation ready for lift-off

Industry Queensland

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