REP has reduced the planned wind capacity for Bogunda project from up to 5 GW to 850 MW and added 500 MW of solar PV and battery system
The Bogunda Energy Hub is expected to connect to the grid via the CopperString transmission project and begin operations in 2032
The project is currently undergoing environmental studies and community engagement
Renewable Energy Partners (REP), the Australian renewable energy projects developer, has scaled back the plans for a massive multi-GW wind farm in Queensland, to make way for solar and storage component to make it a hybrid project.
Almost 2 years back, REP had introduced early-stage plans for a wind farm near Hughenden with up to 5 GW installed capacity which would have been Australia’s ‘biggest’ wind farm. It identified the location for its strong wind resource and close proximity to Queensland’s state-owned Powerlink building its CopperString high-voltage transmission project nearby.
Now, the company has revised its proposal to now use the site to host a hybrid project—Bogunda Energy Hub—with 850 MW wind, 500 MW of solar PV and 500 MW/4-hour battery. With CopperString that comes online in 2032, the hybrid project will connect Queensland’s North West Minerals Province to the main grid.
Bogunda Energy Hub is also planned to start commercial operations in 2032. It will power more than 500,000 Queensland households once operational. REP says the project will contribute to Queensland government’s Energy Roadmap that targets to deliver an additional 6.8 GW of wind and solar generation by 2030.
Currently, REP is undertaking ecology and environment surveys and engaging in community reach out for the Bogunda project. Grid connection options studies will commence shortly.
It will also set up a Community Benefit Fund to support local groups, not-for-profits, sporting clubs and schools to meet the stringent approval rules put in place by the state government for large-scale solar farms in 2025 (see Queensland Introduces Rigorous Approval Processes For Solar).