CS Energy has secured a 50 per cent stake in the Boulder Creek Wind Farm in Central Queensland after reaching financial close with Aula Energy on the ~$740 million project.
Construction will commence in November for the 228 MW project, which will be located 40 km south-west of Rockhampton.
CS Energy will co-own the Boulder Creek Wind Farm in a joint venture with Aula Energy and will hold the rights to 100 per cent of its generation output through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement.
The wind farm will consist of 38 GE Vernova wind turbines and will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 85,000 homes when it becomes operational in 2027.
The project adds to CS Energy’s growing renewable energy and firming portfolio and follows the recent announcement of its 100 per cent acquisition of the Lotus Creek Wind Farm near St Lawrence.
CS Energy CEO Darren Busine said: “The Boulder Creek Wind Farm supports the continued demand for renewable energy from CS Energy’s large commercial and industrial retail customers.
“CS Energy’s investment in this project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Central Queensland and providing opportunities for our people and local communities to share the benefits of the energy transformation.
“With Callide Power Station located approximately 110 kilometres away, CS Energy will investigate training pathways for our employees to provide maintenance services at the wind farm.”
Chad Hymas, Chief Executive Officer of Aula Energy said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with CS Energy on the Boulder Creek Wind Farm, which will be Aula Energy’s flagship project in Australia.
“The CS Energy and Aula teams will build on the exceptional collaboration over the development phase to deliver a project which contributes to the decarbonisation of Queensland generation while delivering for the local community. We look forward to a long-term partnership with CS Energy as both a joint owner and an offtaker.”
The Queensland Government has committed $399.7 million towards the project to date, which includes $174.3 million in FY2025 from the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund.
The project will provide an economic boost to the region by supporting up to 250 jobs during construction and the project continues to seek applications from local businesses and individuals who would like to be involved.
Interested parties are encouraged to register their interest through the dedicated industry network page https://bouldercreekwindfarm.icn.org.au or the project website www.bouldercreekwindfarm.com/.
The project will provide further local benefits through the establishment of a community benefit fund during construction and operations.
The wind farm will be developed on pastoral land that is predominantly used for cattle grazing that will continue during the construction and operations phases of the project.
The project has secured all necessary federal and state government approvals and is subject to a range of conditions, including securing an environmental offset area of 1,215 hectares. Agreements are in place with host landholders and Traditional Owners the Gaangalu Nation and Darumbal Peoples.
Further information
- CS Energy and Aula Energy will jointly own, construct and operate the project.
- CS Energy is entitled to 50 per cent of the generation output of the wind farm and has signed a PPA with Aula Energy for the remaining 50 per cent of its output, for 20 years.
- CS Energy and Aula Energy will collaborate with four major contractors to deliver the project:
- GE Vernova: supply and installation of the wind farm’s 38 wind turbines.
- DT Infrastructure: development of critical infrastructure for the site including roads, hardstands, foundations and onsite power assets.
- Powerlink Queensland: delivery of grid connection assets.
- RES: management of major contracts and oversight of construction activities.
- A Community Liaison Group has been established as a forum to share updates and obtain feedback from local people on the project as it moves through the construction phase and into operations.
- The project will support 10 – 12 roles during the operational phase.