Renewable energy firms RES and Energy Estate plan to develop a raft of projects centred on the Gladstone area to deliver 2GW of power.

In a joint announcement today, the companies said they were working together on the Central Queensland Power project (CQP).

The concept behind the CQP project was to accelerate development of a portfolio of strategically located wind, solar and energy storage projects in the Fitzroy Renewable Energy Zone over the next 10 years, they said.

“The Central Queensland Power project is designed to drive the decarbonisation of Gladstone and accelerate the energy transition of heavy industry around this critical region,” said Simon Currie from Energy Estate.

"We are developing renewable energy projects which will deliver a mix of wind, solar and storage in proximity to Gladstone, allowing for blended generation to create a firmed renewable electricity supply able to meet the 24/7 requirements of existing heavy industry as well as the wider community and stimulate the development of new industries such as green hydrogen.”

RES and Energy Estate say there will be potential for local companies to benefit from longer-term fixed energy prices through power purchase agreements (PPAs).

They say they have been working closely with key stakeholders in the Gladstone region and the Queensland Government to accelerate progress and further announcements will be expected soon.

Both already have a track record in large-scale renewable energy projects in Queensland including RES’ 72MW Emerald solar park (below) and 180MW Dulacca Wind Farm.

Energy Estate is also advancing its 300MW Rodds Bay Solar Farm in the Gladstone area through its affiliate Renew Estate.

The project in March issued the Notice To Proceed under its connection agreement with Powerlink Queensland and construction is scheduled to commence by Q3/Q4 2020.