Powerlink has signed an agreement to connect the 1-GW MacIntyre Wind Precinct to the grid. Pic: Getty Images
Energy
A 1 GW wind farm near Warwick, Queensland, set to be the biggest in Australia once completed, is one step closer to delivering renewable energy following an announcement yesterday by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stating transmission company Powerlink has signed an agreement to connect it to the grid.
The 1-GW MacIntyre Wind Precinct consists of two wind farms – the 102MW Karara Wind Farm owned and operated by renewable generator, CleanCo and the neighbouring 923MW MacIntyre Wind Farm.
Minister for Energy Mick de Brenni said the MacIntyre Wind Precinct would anchor Queensland’s Southern Renewable Energy Zone.
“This further reinforces our position as the nation’s renewable energy superpower with this REZ unlocking up to 1500MW of hosting capacity,” Minister de Brenni said.
“The precinct is well positioned in an area of high and consistent wind resource, with a total of 180 turbines to be built across both wind farms.
“When complete, it will provide enough power to meet the energy needs of 700,000 homes.”
The precinct, which will see construction kick off in Q2, will be Australia’s biggest windfarm once completed.
Queensland’s southern renewable energy zone has taken a major leap forward with the Palaszczuk Government announcing $192.5 million for the Wambo Wind Farm near Dalby, which will deliver more than 200 jobs and 252 megawatts of cheaper, cleaner energy.
The project, located in the Western Downs region of Queensland, will deliver renewable energy to the national electricity grid and contribute to the Queensland Government’s renewable energy generation target of 50% by 2030.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said this was a smart investment decision for the state.
“Access to affordable, reliable energy will underpin Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID 19,” he said.
“We’re providing Queensland businesses with the certainty they need that cheaper, cleaner renewable energy will be available as they expand and grow.”
Once fully operational, the Wambo Wind Farm will produce enough clean energy to power around 170,500 houses annually and prevent the emission of more than 1.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.
Vulcan Energy Resources’ (ASX:VUL) says the pre-fabrication of its demonstration plant has commenced offsite in Germany while 80% of the equipment has been ordered and design-work finalised.
In a market announcement this morning, VUL said the start of commissioning of the Demo Plant is on track for mid-year.
A team of experts from Nobian, Vulcan and external engineering teams are adapting Vulcan’s lithium hydroxide production Demo Plant design to Nobian’s existing site at the Höchst Chemical Park ahead of construction and operation.
Discussions have kicked off with local stakeholders to expand operations at its 100% owned geothermal renewable energy plant, which is currently operating in Insheim, to provide heating and energy security to local communities.
Refurbishment of the electric drill rigs purchased in 2021 is underway, with the rigs due to be operation-ready by the end of the year, before being deployed for mass-scale geothermal renewable energy development in Germany, reducing reliance on Russian gas.
VUL managing director Dr Francis Wedin said it is encouraging to see the consistent and successful track record of the lithium pilot plant as it comes up to one year of operation.
“At a time when Europe, particularly Germany’s, reliance on Russian energy is being keenly felt, we stand committed to helping ensure Europe’s and Germany’s energy independence and security of supply of sustainably sourced battery metals,” he said.
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