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The first blades of 28 wind turbines for the $373 million Kaban Green Power Hub have arrived in Cairns.
Measuring 79-metres and weighing 32-tonnes, the blades will be stored in Cairns ahead of their transportation to the hub site near Ravenshoe later this year.
French company Neoen is planning for the turbines to be operational in 2023.
Staten Member for Cairns Michael Healy said 250 jobs will be created during the construction phase.
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“As well as creating jobs in Cairns and the hinterland, it’s good for the environment and reflects the Palaszczuk Government’s recognition of the importance of clean and reliable energy and our 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030,” he said.
“The arrival of this equipment has also shown the importance of our port and (it) being publicly-owned means Queenslanders benefit from exports and imports arriving in our state.”
Far North Queensland’s second-largest renewable energy project was thrown into doubt a year ago, when then Northern Australia Minister Keith Pitt exercised veto powers to block Neoen from receiving a $280-million loan through the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
The company forged ahead following assurances from the Queensland Government that it would fund a $40-million upgrade of the transmission line between Cairns and Townsville to enable the project’s viability.
“This critical infrastructure has the potential to leverage hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of new investment in renewable energy in North Queensland in the future,” Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.
Construction of the Tumoulin switching station - to connect the wind farm into the grid - is also well underway and is scheduled for completion in October.
Once operational, the wind farm will be capable of producing 157MW, slightly less than its Emerald Creek counterpart.
The hub will also have battery storage of up to 100MW.
Main points
- Wind turbine blades for the $373m Kaban Green Power Hub have arrived in Cairns
- The hub, near Ravenshoe, is scheduled to be operational next year
- 250 jobs will be created during the construction phase
