Kaban Green Power Hub : Neoen begins construction on Australian renewable energy project

French renewable energy company Neoen has broken ground on the 157MW Kaban Green Power Hub, a renewable energy project being developed with an investment of AUD373 million ($287.63 million) in Australia.

The renewable energy project will comprise a 157MW wind farm and a 320km transmission line upgrade aimed at strengthening the network in Far North Queensland.

The Kaban Green Power Hub, which is being developed near Ravenshoe in the Atherton Tablelands, 80km southwest of Cairns, is slated to begin operations in 2023.

Neoen has awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the Australian renewable energy project to Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas.

As per the contract, Vestas will be delivering 28 of its V162-5.6 MW turbines from the EnVentus platform to the Kaban Green Power Hub project.

The contract marks Vestas’ first EnVentus order in the Asia Pacific and Australia and also Neoen’s first Australian project with the Danish wind turbine company.

The height of the wind turbines for the Kaban wind farm will be 230m to completely capture the site’s high wind shear, said Vestas.

Peter Cowling – Head of Vestas Australia and New Zealand said: “The energy generated by Kaban Green Power Hub will make a critical contribution to the northern fringe of Australia’s electricity network. Sustainable projects like this continue to demonstrate the reliability of wind generation, along with its ability to be deployed in remote regions of our country.”

Neoen breaks ground on Kaban Green Power Hub in Queensland. Photo courtesy of Neoen.

Construction on the Kaban Green Power Hub will involve more than 250 people. Once operational, the renewable energy project in Queensland will power nearly 100,000 homes.

Vestas said that the turbines will be delivered starting from Q1 2022 with commissioning anticipated to begin in Q4 2022.

Louis de Sambucy, Managing Director of Neoen Australia said: “Neoen is pleased to announce Vestas as the wind turbine supplier and principal contractor for Kaban Green Power Hub, which is our first project together in Australia.

“I would like to thank the Vestas team for all the hard work they have put into reaching this important milestone. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Vestas in Australia as we continue to expand our portfolio of wind projects”.

Kaban Green Power Hub is backed by the Queensland Government

The Kaban Green Power Hub is backed by the Queensland Government through a funding of AUD40million ($30.84 million) towards the upgrade of the transmission line. The project will help establish the North Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).

Neoen has a power purchase agreement in place for the Kaban wind farm with Queensland’s publicly-owned clean energy company CleanCo.

Louis de Sambucy – Neoen Australia Managing Director said: “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Queensland Government and to CleanCo for their unfailing support and to Powerlink and Vestas for their hard work which has enabled Kaban Green Power Hub to reach this important milestone. We are also grateful to those in the wider community who have advocated for the project and the benefits it will bring.

“We are proud of the pivotal role the project is playing in establishing the North Queensland REZ and look forward to Kaban contributing to Queensland’s energy transition, and to supporting the region’s recovery from Covid-19.”