Construction has started on the AUS$2 billion (US$1.5 billion) MacIntyre Wind Precinct being built in Queensland Australia.
The 1,026MW project, being built by Spanish renewable energy developer ACCIONA Energía, will consist of two wind farms, the 18 turbine Karara Wind Farm owned and operated by Queensland state-owned enterprise CleanCo and the 162 turbine MacIntyre Wind Farm that will be owned and operated by ACCIONA Energía.
A total of 180 turbines will be able to power 700,000 homes each year.
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The Precinct will create over 450 direct jobs during construction and is expected to be operational in 2024.
“I believe MacIntyre is the start of a golden age of renewable energy in Australia. One that takes full advantage of our renewable resources with projects that help drive and develop our regional economies,” said ACCIONA Energía managing director, Brett Wickham said in a statement.
“MacIntyre is the largest project ACCIONA Energía has undertaken anywhere in the world and will be our flagship development for many years to come…”
“Large scale renewable projects lay new foundations that support larger local economies and create new employment opportunities for those living in the area,” said Wickham.
According to ACCIONA Energía, the wind project will support the Queensland government’s goal of reaching 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and will avoid 3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Queensland’s government has prioritised the development of renewable energy since 2015. Combined with rooftop solar, the state has 7,200MW of renewable energy capacity, with 20.4% of electricity used in Queensland produced from renewable energy sources as of 1 January 2022.
