Renewable energy providing near baseload generation
The Project
Kennedy Energy Park is a world-first hybrid wind, solar and energy storage facility located near Hughenden in central north Queensland.
This region is home to highly complementary, world-class wind and solar resources which offer the opportunity to supply clean energy to the grid with reliability never before seen in the Australian renewable industry.
Located on pastoral land approximately 25 km southeast of the township of Hughenden and 290 km southwest of Townsville, Kennedy Energy Park consists of 43.2MW wind, 15MW solar, plus 2MW of storage.
Kennedy Energy Park was connected to the Grid in 2019, became a registered market participant in June 2020 and is currently operating at 25 MW (or 80% of energy production). The plant is expected to complete hold point testing and reach full generation capacity in the first quarter of 2023.
Kennedy Energy Park connects into the 66/132kV transmission line that runs from Cape River to Hughenden. The electricity generated will meet the demand of the local region stretching from Julia Creek through to Charters Towers.
World-class innovation for a globally significant resource
Developed by Windlab and Eurus, the location of Kennedy Energy Park was selected due to the high levels of solar irradiance, world-class wind resource and an available grid connection. The plant is compatible with the existing pastoral use of the land, and today coexists alongside grazing operations.
Kennedy Energy Park leverages the complementary nature of the region’s solar and wind resources. On a typical day, the wind resource picks up in the late afternoon and evening as the sun sets, enabling the project to produce steady, clean power throughout the day and night.
The complementary resources helps overcome the intermittency often associated with standalone wind energy or solar energy generators and makes best use of the grid connection.
Kennedy Energy Park is a first step towards Windlab’s ambition to deliver 20 per cent of Australia’s new green energy generation by 2032, which includes the development of the North Queensland Super Hub; a multi-gigawatt renewable energy precinct announced in November 2022 and delivered in partnership with Fortescue Future Industries.
Windlab’s decade-long presence in the Hughenden region and the partnerships we have developed over time make the company uniquely well-positioned to unlock the region’s potential.
Community collaboration delivering a lasting local legacy
During construction the project delivered up to 240 construction jobs and procured around $20 million in the region on a range of goods and services, including equipment hire, materials, labour, food and accommodation.
Windlab continues to deliver regional benefits across the Flinders Shire through local jobs, supply and procurement opportunities and investment in regional community development initiatives and events.
In 2022, Windlab became the Platinum Sponsor of the annual Hughenden Rugby 7s competition, leveraging its connection with shareholder Tattarang to deliver a free rugby clinic to local kids with the stars of the Western Force Super Rugby and Super W teams.
Windlab continues to support iconic regional events including the Prairie Races and the Hughenden Show, and supports of the Hughenden Chamber of Commerce as a member of the local business community.
Windlab continues to partner with the Flinders Shire, Traditional Owners, regional stakeholders, landowners and the local community to deliver our ambitious regional development pipeline.