Wind Farm U-Turn: Queensland Government Abandons Central Queensland Project, Sparking Fears for Regional Communities
- Queensland’s publicly-owned generator CleanCo withdraws from the Moah Creek Wind Farm project near Rockhampton, citing it doesn’t align with its energy roadmap.
- The project, which would have powered almost 200,000 homes, is now left in limbo, sparking concerns for regional communities and the state’s renewable energy future.
- Meanwhile, CleanCo partners with Windlab for its wind farm at Kennedy Energy Park in the state’s north-west, securing 75 per cent of its wind energy output.
The Queensland government’s sudden withdrawal from the Moah Creek Wind Farm project has sent shockwaves through the region, leaving many wondering about the future of renewable energy in the state. The project, proposed by private developer Central Queensland Power, would have seen 60 turbines built on agricultural land 30 kilometres west of Rockhampton, powering almost 200,000 homes.
However, in a statement, CleanCo announced it had assessed all projects in development and the Moah Creek Wind Farm did not align with its “current strategic activities, commercial portfolio and investment priorities, given changing energy market conditions”. The company has withdrawn from further development and all delivery activities for the project, but remains in discussion with Central Queensland Power about a “potential future offtake opportunity”.
The move has raised questions about the state government’s commitment to renewable energy and its impact on regional communities. The former Palaszczuk government had announced in October 2023 that CleanCo had partnered with Central Queensland Power, with the project set to transition to public ownership once development was completed.
But just a day after CleanCo’s withdrawal, the Crisafulli government announced that the company had signed a 10-year agreement with Windlab in the state’s north-west to secure 75 per cent of Kennedy Energy Park’s wind energy output from 2028. The Kennedy Energy Park, located near Hughenden, includes a 12-turbine, 43-megawatt wind farm, more than 55,000 solar panels, and 2 megawatts of battery storage.
For Nick Holland, a grazier who neighbours the Moah Creek project, the news is a relief. He had submitted a petition to the state government with over 1,000 signatures calling for the wind farm to be axed and the state to withdraw investment. “It was not the right location, given the number of residents in the vicinity and the impact it would have on those,” he said.
However, the project’s private developer, Central Queensland Power, remains committed to seeing the project through. “The Moah Creek project remains a well-positioned project,” director Matt Rebbeck said. The project secured federal funding in October last year through the Australian Government Capacity Investment Scheme, and CQP has confirmed the funding remains in place.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The Queensland government’s withdrawal from the Moah Creek Wind Farm project raises serious concerns about the state’s commitment to renewable energy and its impact on regional communities. As the country transitions to a low-carbon economy, projects like Moah Creek are crucial in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and meeting our emissions targets. The decision to abandon the project may have significant implications for the state’s energy roadmap and its ability to meet its renewable energy targets.
Security analysts say the move may also have national security implications, as Australia’s energy independence is critical to its economic and strategic interests. “A reliable and diverse energy supply is essential for our national security,” said one analyst. “The Queensland government’s decision to abandon the Moah Creek project may undermine our energy security and leave us vulnerable to external pressures.”
Law enforcement insiders warn that the project’s demise may also have implications for regional communities, which rely on these projects for economic growth and job creation. “The Moah Creek project would have brought much-needed investment and jobs to the region,” said one insider. “The Queensland government’s decision to abandon the project may have significant social and economic consequences for these communities.”
Industry observers believe the decision may also have broader implications for the renewable energy sector as a whole. “The Moah Creek project was a flagship project for the state’s renewable energy sector,” said one observer. “The Queensland government’s decision to abandon the project may send a negative signal to investors and undermine confidence in the sector.”