Mt Challenger Wind Farm

Mt Challenger Wind Farm

Mount Challenger Wind Farm is a renewable energy generation development located between the towns of Bowen and Proserpine in the Isaac Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) of Central Queensland.

Consisting of 100-120 megawatts (MW) of wind and 15-30MW of solar generation capacity, and 15-30MW battery energy storage (BESS) on-site, the Mount Challenger project is proposed to connect to the existing transmission network and supply clean energy to the National Electricity Market to contribute to the QLD Government’s target to achieve 80% renewable energy by 2035.

Mount Challenger Wind Farm would generate enough clean electricity to power about 84,000 Queensland homes each year and has been identified for its wind resource and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure.

The project is being developed by Tetris Energy, an Australian renewable energy company developing a range of wind, solar and storage projects in Australia. With a focus on the long-term viability of regional communities, the development of Mount Challenger Wind Farm will generate significant investment and economic benefits in the broader Whitsunday Regional Council region and will be compatible with existing agricultural and farming activities.

Project Overview

  • Tetris Energy is committed to ongoing and genuine engagement with the local community and project stakeholders to build strong relationships and establish a socially sustainable project.

    To help promote a high standard of community engagement across the industry, the Clean Energy Council has developed a Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Projects with an emphasis on community engagement. Tetris Energy is committed to honouring this charter in our renewable energy projects.

    We will continue to engage with neighbours and broaden the consultation effort to include the wider community and stakeholders throughout the planning process as more assessments and investigations are completed and detailed information becomes available.

    This consultation will provide valuable local insights into identifying opportunities and constraints for the proposal. Please use the signup form below to register your interest.

  • Queensland has an integrated development application, assessment and decision-making system. Local governments are usually the development assessment manager, however, where state interests are affected, the Planning Regulation 2017 may require that certain development applications be referred to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).

    SARA is the first and only point of contact for development applications where the state has a jurisdiction under the Planning Act 2016, and the assessment manager for all wind farm development applications.

    Once referred to SARA, development applications will be assessed against the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP). Wind farms can require either State code 23: Wind Farm development or Environmental impact assessment. A development application for a wind farm will be subject to code assessment if:

    • all wind turbines for the wind farm are at least 1500 metres from a sensitive land use on a non-host lot; or

    • one or more wind turbines for the wind farm is less than 1500 metres from a sensitive land use on a non-host lot and the owner of the non-host lot has, by deed, agreed to the turbines being less than 1500 metres from the sensitive land use. See section 45 of the Property Law Act 1974 for the formal requirements for deeds executed by individuals.

    If a development application is not subject to code assessment, it will be subject to impact assessment.

    A material change of use for a wind farm is required to be assessed against State code 23: Wind farm development of SDAP. The wind farm development may also trigger assessment against other state codes within SDAP.

    The assessment materials for the Mount Challenger Wind Farm will be accessible on the State Assessment and Referral Agency Portal, here

  • Tetris Energy will undertake comprehensive technical, environmental, and social studies which, together with further community consultation, will shape the development of the Mount Challenger Wind Farm. This includes continuing our engagement with Whitsunday Regional Council communities to understand ways that the area can benefit from the project, such as a key gap in infrastructure or suggestions for local initiatives, such as development of a benefit sharing program to support the local community and provide a long-lasting legacy in the area.

    As the heart of the Greater Barrier Reef, sustainability is a central theme throughout the Whitsunday region. From reef restoration and water quality to on-farm practices and recycling, ensuring that the economy can grow in a sustainable manner will be important for the future.

    Investment in the Whitsunday Regional Council region through the Mount Challenger Wind Farm will assist:

    • employment – both direct (technicians, electricians etc) and indirect (concrete, services etc).

    • energy reliability and security for the region.

    • broader community-led funding initiatives.

    • provide renewable energy supply for local battery energy storage projects.

    • utilise the regions existing transmission assets.

    • opportunity to transition from coal-fired power extraction and generation to renewable energy.

    Register your interest as a local supplier on the form below.

  • The Mount Challenger Wind Farm will have the potential to supply clean energy to around 84,000 Queensland homes and avoid 418,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

    The Australian energy landscape is transitioning to a greater mix of low-emission renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Factors driving this transition include:

    • Demand for more reliable energy supply.

    • Consumer demand for lower energy bills.

    • State and federal government commitments to reduce carbon emissions.

    • Scheduled closure of fossil-fuel generation sources such as coal.

    The Australian Energy Market Operator has identified that storage capacity needs to triple within the National Energy Market to meet electricity demands. Queensland is accelerating towards its renewable energy targets and now boasts 52 large-scale renewable energy projects (operating, under construction or financially committed), representing around 8,500 construction jobs, over 6,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy and more than 14 million tonnes of avoided emissions each year (current as at 30 June 2023).

  • Once completed, Mount Challenger Wind Farm is expected to operate for 25-35 years. As a signatory to the Clean Energy Council’s Best Practice Charter, Tetris Energy is committed to working respectfully with wind farm communities, during wind farm development, construction, operation, and end of life decommissioning and takes community concerns regarding decommissioning seriously.

    Decommissioning means that the wind turbines, site office and any other ancillary infrastructure is removed from the site, and roads and foundation pads are covered and revegetated, allowing land to be returned to its former use. Typically, landowner contracts and Development Applications contain definite clauses setting out the expectations around rehabilitating the site.

    Read more on the Clean Energy Council’s Decommissioning guidelines here.

Location

Using its renewable energy technical expertise and project development experience, Tetris Energy has identified the Mount Challenger location based on its strong wind resource and proximity to existing transmission lines and large energy users.

The Mount Challenger site is located on farmland predominately used for cattle grazing, approximately 28km southeast of Bowen and 28km northwest of Proserpine in the Whitsunday Regional Council. The Ngaro People inhabited the Whitsunday Islands and coastal bays and the Gia People inhabited the area around Proserpine. Tetris Energy acknowledges the Gia and Ngaro People as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways in the Whitsunday Regional Council.

The region has a strong tradition in mining, being home to Queensland’s oldest coal mine at Collinsville. Glencore and QCoal are the major current operators, producing both coking and thermal coal, much of which is exported through the Port of Abbot Point at Bowen.

Beyond the traditional industries of agriculture, sugar, mining and tourism, new industries are emerging. Tassal, the largest producer of salmon in Australia, is creating its largest prawn farm in Australia (200 hectares), creating a significant aquaculture industry for the region that will double prawn production in Queensland.

Developing the high-quality wind farm at the site would assist to diversify the local economy and generate significant investment in the broader Whitsunday region in a way that is compatible with existing agricultural, mining and tourism activities.

Located in the Isaac Renewable Energy Zones (REZ), Mount Challenger’s wind generation has what is regarded as an ‘attractive’ daily profile. This is important as the energy generated from the wind farm at either end of the day matches with peak energy demand times across the energy grid.

The Mount Challenger Wind Farm will be complimented by co-located battery storage to maximise the energy generated and captured from the site. A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) stores excess electricity from the solar panels when the wind is blowing and then dispatches to the electricity grid when demand it at its peak.

An on-site substation will be used to connect the project to the existing electricity transmission network.

The Central QLD REZs, including Isaac RAZ, help to coordinate development in areas of high renewable potential, maximising benefits for regional communities. These REZs will help attract investment to the right areas in Central Queensland, with up to 8,200 megawatts (MW) of expected new renewable generation will be installed in REZs. Projects within the REZs are expected to be connected incrementally, meaning workers will have sustainable employment opportunities across multiple projects over a number of years.

Powerlink opened the interim Gladstone SuperGrid Training Centre and Transmission Hub earlier in 2023, providing workers the critical skills needed in Queensland’s energy transformation.

Read more on Central Queensland’s Renewable Energy Zones in the draft 2023 Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap.

Planning Process

  • Pre-lodgement
    While voluntary it is advisable to contact the assessment manager and any referral agencies that may be involved in the process prior to lodging to identify potential issues or additional information requirements.
  • Part 1 – Application WE ARE HERE
    When preparing and lodging a development application the applicant must meet certain criteria to ensure it is properly made.
  • Part 2 – Referral
    In some circumstances a development application may require additional assessment. In this case, the application is considered by a referral agency.
  • Part 3 – Information Request
    The assessment manager and any referral agency have the opportunity to ask the applicant for more information.
  • Part 4 – Public Notification
    During the public notification period, the community can make submissions about a development application to the assessment manager, who will consider these when making their decision.
  • Part 5 – Decision
    The assessment manager makes their decision on the development application to either approve, approve in part, approve with conditions or refuse. report
  • Appealing a decision
    After a development application has been decided, the Planning Act specifies certain instances where the applicant or another party can appeal the decision.
  • Changing or extending development approvals
    TAn applicant can change an existing development approval or extend the timeframe of a development approval at any time prior to the development approval lapsing.

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