Powerlink has negotiated a 25-year power connection agreement which will enable Queensland’s biggest wind farm at Mt Emerald near Mareeba to be connected to the transmission grid.
Ratch-Australia Corporation (Ratch) announced this week that it had reached Financial Close on its 180MW project.
Powerlink Chief Executive Merryn York said the connection agreement with a renewable energy generator was a significant milestone for Powerlink.
“Our business is maintaining a safe and reliable high-voltage transmission network and we are also sharpening our focus on business development activities which seek outcomes such as the Mt Emerald connection agreement,” Ms York said.
“The Queensland Government is currently examining ways to deliver a 50 per cent renewable energy target for the state by 2030, with an independent expert panel already identifying credible pathways to reach the target.
“At Powerlink we are focused on delivering practical and customised solutions for our renewable energy customers so they can commercialise their energy projects with certainty.
“We look forward to delivering the Mt Emerald Wind Farm connection for Ratch Corporation and continuing to partner with renewable energy customers across the state.”
The 180MW Mt Emerald wind farm will connect via Powerlink’s Woree-Chalumbin transmission line and is expected to be operational in the second half of 2018.
Powerlink will build a dedicated 275 kV substation as part of the connection agreement and then maintain it for the life of the agreement.
Ratch Business Development Manager, Anthony Yeates, said the process to reach financial close has been busy but worthwhile for the company.
“This has been a huge team effort from many different parties over a long period, and we are proud to be delivering a project which is not only low carbon but which will meaningfully add to North Queensland’s energy security,” Mr Yeates said.
Minor works, geotech studies and site survey work are scheduled for December with full construction likely to begin ramping up from March 2017 after the wet season. The wind farm is expected to be operational by September 2018.
