Stage one of the A$1 billion Clarke Creek Wind farm has officially opened.
The Squadron Energy project, backed by billionaire Dr Andrew Forrest, is the biggest wind farm to open in Australia this year.
Located in Queensland, 150 kilometres south of Mackay, the 100-turbine farm will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 330,000 Queensland homes and avoid 738,000 tonnes of carbon pollution each year.
A unique rebate is also being introduced, with all households and businesses within 20 kilometres of the project being made eligible for a rebate of $1,000 on annual electricity bills, known as the Clarke Creek Wind Farm Bill Bonus.
Stanwell Corporation, a Queensland-based electricity company, has formalised a Power Purchase Agreement with the farm, which will see them purchase more than 75% of the clean energy generated from the first stage.
Pending approvals, stage two of the project will see the addition of another 88 turbines.
“Renewable energy is now the cheapest form of power on Earth…that’s why I’ll keep investing and doubling down on green energy,” Forrest said.
“Projects like this show that renewables aren’t just good for our planet – they’re good economics. They lower power bills, strengthen our energy system, and keep jobs and investment in regional communities."
