Construction of a $300 million wind farm near Ravenshoe in Far North Queensland is expected to kick off by early 2021 after winning Federal environmental approval.

Neoen’s Green Power Hub at Kaban is proposed to include up to 29 turbines and additional infrastructure, including a substation and battery storage facility.

Neoen Australia managing director Louis de Sambucy said the site had some of Queensland’s best wind resources.

“We are continuing to invest in the project and look forward to stimulating the Northern Queensland economy through its $300 million construction,” he said.

“Our efforts are currently focused on finalising the facility’s grid connection, with construction due to commence between late 2020 and early 2021.”

The approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act carries conditions including establishing offset areas to compensate for clearance of magnificent brood frog habitat and greater glider habitat.

Neoen must not clear more than 129ha of habitat for EPBC Act listed threatened species and communities within the project area.

The project gained State Government approval in May 2018, when Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Cameron Dick said it was expected to create around 150 jobs during construction.