Project strikes a blow for wind power

THE Australian and Japanese venturers behind an innovative renewable energy project marked the start yesterday of what could become a $ 2 billion construction boom for Hughenden.

But it will likely not be so much in solar generation but in wind energy.

That is because the wind at Hughenden, 380km west of Townsville, complements solar by blowing mostly during the morning, evening and night.

“The wind resource really is complementary,” Windlab CEO Roger Price said yesterday.

“There are not a great many wind opportunities in Queensland so the Big Kennedy project is vitally important and will play a key role in backing solar generation.”

Windlab and Japanese equity partner Eurus Energy marked the start of Little Kennedy, a $ 160 million first stage, comprising 60 megawatts of wind, solar and battery storage being built about 20km south of Hughenden.

The much larger Big Kennedy project of up to 1200 megawatts of predominantly wind generation is planned for another site 80km north of Hughenden. During the sod turning ceremony, the wind caused difficulties by blowing down signage and ruffling speech notes.

“I can’t help notice the irony of the wind blowing everything while we are here,” Mount Isa- based Traeger MP Robbie Katter said.

Mr Price said the $ 160 million first stage of the development would create about 100 jobs during construction over the next 12 months with a decision on whether to proceed with Big Kennedy expected late next year or early 2019.

If approved they hoped to be in construction on the larger scheme, estimated at more than $ 2 billion, by 2020.

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