WIND
KABAN GREEN POWER HUB GIVES QLD’S RENEWABLES EFFORTS A SECOND WIND by Lauren DeLorenzo, Journalist, Energy magazine Despite its capacity to harness world-class solar and wind resources, Queensland still has the highest greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. As the state shifts towards creating affordable renewable energy, Neoen’s Kaban Green Power Hub will be instrumental in meeting clean energy targets and supporting the state’s post-COVID economic recovery.
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he $373 million investment came after global renewable energy producer Neoen signed a long-term power purchase agreement with CleanCo Queensland, the state’s publicly-owned clean energy company, in October 2020. The aim of the agreement was to generate clean, affordable energy and strengthen the electricity network in Far North Queensland. The Kaban project, which involves a 157MW wind farm and a 320km transmission line upgrade, is planned to operate for at least 30 years. The wind farm will use 28 Vestas V162-5.6MW wind
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turbines which have a hub height of 149m, and rotor diameter of 162m – the largest wind turbines to ever be used in the country. Located around 80km southwest of Cairns, near the town of Ravenshoe in the Atherton Tableland, the site is ideal due to the region’s strong winds. The Kaban project will use that resource to generate approximately 457GWh of affordable clean energy each year – that’s enough to power every home in Cairns. Kaban’s wind generation profile is complementary to the wind generated in the southern regions of the National Electricity Market, contributing to stronger supply during peak periods.
www.energymagazine.com.au
