Windlab has formed a joint venture with Eurus Energy Holdings to build the $140m Kennedy hybrid solar/wind energy park in North Queensland in Australia.
Work is expected to start in the middle of next year, with the first stage involving the construction of six 136-metre diameter wind turbines at the project, which is about 300km from Townsville.
This will be followed by 64,000 solar panels being built over 80 hectares.
The successful completion of first stage development could pre-empt a scale up in the project’s second stage, which will see 1.2GW of renewable energy generation.
Windlab chief executive officer Roger Price said: “In combination, these natural resources can provide a net capacity factor approaching 70%, better than base load coal utilisation in Queensland.
“This particular site has been carefully mapped and we know it is predominantly windy through the afternoon and into the evening, and obviously experiences sunlight during daylight hours.
“This resource profile ensures almost constant energy production.”
Eurus president and chief executive officer Hideyuki Inazumi said: “We are excited about another opportunity to work alongside Windlab, a company that has been achieving excellence in wind farm development.
“Our participation in the development of Kennedy also demonstrates our continuing commitment to the Australian renewable energy market”.
Image: Collgar wind farm in Australia (Windlab)
