General News
11 October, 2022
Premier blown away by wind farm
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk visited the Kaban Green Power Hub last week to celebrate a major milestone for the $373 million wind farm project when it was officially connected to Queensland’s new SuperGrid.
But while the State Government was celebrating the wind farm’s progress, those opposed to the creation of the proposed Chambulin wind farm near Ravenshoe are far from happy.
Speaking after the Premier’s visit, Member for Kennedy Bob Katter said he had formally requested Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to not give permits for the 94-turbine project at Chalumbin.
“We have given notice that North Queensland will not tolerate any further vandalism which has been imposed upon us or else there will be serious protests,” Mr Katter said.
Rainforest Reserves Australia president Carolyn Emms said hundreds of people had gathered in Ravenshoe recently to discuss their concerns about the Chambulin project.
“Kaban Wind Farm development is a constant reminder of what is at stake if Chalumbin goes ahead,” she said.
“Ravenshoe residents have a sense of powerless and grief at seeing these enormous wind turbines pop up at Kaban, which is causing grief and anxiety.
“There is an enormous community backlash against the fast-track approvals of wind farm developments.”
While the Chambulin project is yet to be approved, the Kaban wind farm is at the halfway mark, with 16 of the 28 turbines now completed.
Premier Palaszczuk was accompanied on her visit last week by Deputy Premier Steven Miles, Minister for Energy and Renewables Mick de Brenni and Tablelands Mayor Rod Marti.
The Premier said the 157MW project could now power homes and businesses in the Far North with clean green renewable energy.
“The Kaban Green Power Hub being energised via Powerlink’s Tumoulin Switching Station means clean energy is being injected into the new Queensland SuperGrid,” she said.
“Once complete early next year, it will generate 460,000MW hours of clean energy a year, enough to power up to 100,000 homes," she added.
The Premier said the project would play an important role in helping Queensland meeting its new renewable energy target of 70 per cent by 2032.
The project is being developed by global green energy giant Neoen, and publicly owned CleanCo has an agreement to purchase 100 per cent of the clean energy generated.
Neoen managing director Louis de Sambucy said the business was extremely proud of Kaban’s role as the cornerstone project of Queensland’s first Renewable Energy Zone.
“I’d like to thank the Queensland Government and CleanCo for their vision and support, and Powerlink for their hard work and commitment in delivering the essential transmission infrastructure,” he said.
