Australia adopts policy for development of 1.2GW wind project

The project could generate its first electricity by 2023.

The parliament of Queensland, Australia has adopted the Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020, which aims at facilitating the development of the 1.2 GW Forest Wind project. The text authorises tenure for the project to occur on actively managed exotic pine plantation licence areas in the Toolara, Tuan and Neerdie State forests between Gympie and Maryborough.

The project, which would require $1.45b (A$2b) in investments, is developed by a joint venture between CleanSight and Siemens Financial Services. Construction is now expected to begin in late 2021 or 2022. Depending on financial close and discussions on off-take contracts the project could generate its first electricity in 2023. The wind project was approved in February 2020 by the government of Queensland.

This article was originally published by Enerdata.