a hub for multiple renewable energy projects

ACCIONA Energía is expanding its MacIntyre Wind Precinct as part of the Southern Downs Renewable Energy Zone, to encompass: MacIntyre Wind Farm (near complete), Herries Range Wind Farm (proposed) & Karara Wind Farm turbines (proposed).

The MacIntyre Wind Precinct serves as a hub for multiple renewable energy projects, promoting environmental conservation, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and fostering a more resilient and efficient energy infrastructure for all Australians. This concept integrates these key energy projects within its infrastructure in the Goondiwindi, Southern Downs, and Toowoomba regions.

 

The precinct will continue to provide diversification and drought-proof incomes to host farmers and support local towns with new business opportunities.

 

A key benefit of this expansion is the opportunity to create more comprehensive and impactful programs that will benefit the broader community, fostering collaboration among all parties involved in programs such as small grants programs, scholarship programs, First Nations initiatives, and legacy projects.

MACINTYRE WIND FARM

The 923MW MacIntyre Wind Farm has delivered over $680m in local economic benefit. It will be ACCIONA Energía’s biggest renewable energy facility and one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world. The wind farm is expected to start operations in Q4, 2024, and be fully operational by Q4, 2025.

The site has been selected due to its exposure to consistent winds across this part of the country. It provides a suitable resource for the development of a wind farm, which will consist of 162 turbines over a project area of 32,000 ha.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Location: Approximately 50 kms south-west of Warwick and 10 kms south of Karara in Queensland and spans across two local government regions – Goondiwindi and Southern Downs
  • Capacity: 923 MW
  • Turbines: 162 turbines
  • Jobs: The project has peaked in providing over 1,000 construction jobs at a time and inducted more than 4,500 workers. During its operational life, it is due to employ 35-40 additional full-time roles
  • Timeline: The project commenced construction in 2022 and is expected to be operational in Q4, 2024
  • Incorporates an overhead transmission line (OHTL) from the MacIntyre Intermediate Switching Station to Tummaville Substation

KEY POINTS

  • Local economic benefit: procured over $680m in services, labour and materials from across Queensland
  • At least 2% of the project work hours to be performed by persons who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI)
  • Provide at least $2.5 million in financial contributions to local community programs, events and initiatives within the first ten years of the Project.

MORE INFORMATION

Please visit our dedicated Community Hub page for more information about this project including relevant documentation, latest project news and community benefits.

HERRIES RANGE WIND FARM

The proposed Herries Range Wind Farm is located near Karara (about 50km west of Warwick) in the Darling Downs Region of Queensland. The project covers the Southern Downs, Goondiwindi, and Toowoomba local government areas.

ACCIONA Energia is in advanced development of the Herries Range Wind Farm, with various engineering, environmental, and social impact studies currently in progress.  

The project is anticipated to consist of up to 176 wind turbines, with ancillary infrastructure including on-site substations.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Location: Approximately 50 kms west of Warwick, immediately north of the townships of Karara and Gore in Queensland, spanning across three local government regions – Goondiwindi, Toowoomba and Southern Downs
  • Capacity: 1GW
  • Turbines: Up to 176 turbines
  • Jobs: Over 450 construction jobs and 20-30 ongoing full-time roles expected during operation
  • Timeline: The project is currently in development, with construction proposed to commence in 2026

MORE INFORMATION

Please visit our dedicated Community Hub page for more information about this project including relevant documentation, latest project news and community benefits.

KARARA WIND FARM

ACCIONA Energia is currently investigating options to develop the Karara Wind Farm after purchasing the project from CleanCo in 2024.

Karara Wind Farm is now being developed by our team as part of the broader MacIntyre Wind Precinct.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Location: Approximately 50 kms west of Warwick, 12 km south of Karara in Queensland, in the Goondiwindi local government area
  • Capacity: 103 MW
  • Turbines: Up to 18 turbines
  • Timeline: The project is in development with construction proposed to commence in 2026.

GET INVOLVED

Visit our online community hub, where you can ask questions and give us feedback about the project.

Planning Assessment Report & State Approval Documentation

To view ACCIONA Energía's planning documentation relating to the MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct, please visit the Queensland Government's Planning website here. Please enter the search code: 2010-19438 SDA to view all documentation. 

4G Telstra Tower

This will mitigate the connectivity issue the local landholders are facing. This will be a 2-year project however the outcome will be limitless for the lives and businesses it will improve.

University of Southern Queensland 

Scholarship partnership between ACCIONA Energía and the university. This scholarship has provided $100,000 over 3 years (2021 – 2023). 6 local students have been granted this support for their studies so far and this will continue annually until the funds have ceased with an average of another 6/7 years.

Queensland Farmers Federation Partnership 

EnergySQ program will run over 2 years to assist farmers in the Goondiwindi and Southern Downs Council areas to understand and manage on-farm energy consumption and identify ways to reduce energy spend.

Connection Plus

This hub which will be located at the SDIEA facility creates opportunities where local community groups, businesses, interested investment parties and producers can connect innovate and thrive through this facility that provides a range of programmes, events and engagement opportunities acting as a springboard to strengthen the local economy, industry and community.

Karara Community Hall 

Like many rural towns in Australia presently, Karara (near our MacIntyre Wind Farm) is in drought and is experiencing a severe water shortage, so much so that local residents have been purchasing water to feed their stock and meet their domestic needs. We provided funds through our sponsorship program to install a water bore, pump and tank system, which is already assisting community members and visitors in times of crisis and emergency e.g. bush fires and drought. We also supported to upgrade and repair the community hall.

Protecting vulnerable species - Macrozamia Conferta

ACCIONA Energía has a commitment to sustainability on the #MacIntyreWindFarm, and the translocation project of the vulnerable Macrozamia Conferta species is one example of how we protect the biodiversity in the area. The project has contributed research to the University of Queensland, helping scientists to better understand the species.

Our community engagement initiatives

LOCAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

CEC MemberLocationEmail

Bruce McLeish, Chair

Karara

David Bartlett

Gore

Trudi Bartlett

Toowoomba

Lloyd Hilton

Karara

Susie Kelly

Goondiwindi

Graham Parker

Stanthorpe

Joel Richters

Goondiwindi

joelrichters@me.com

Liz Bourne

Stanthorpe

The MacIntyre CEC provides a forum for open dialogue between the company and representatives of the local community; and stakeholder groups on issues and opportunities directly relating to the wind farm project. The role of the committee member is voluntary and provides an opportunity for communication about the MacIntyre Wind Farm. If you would like to raise any matters with a CEC member, please contact one of the members listed.

Our Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

There are many roles that will be available through all stages of the project – from the planning, through to construction and operations phases.

Our employment section is the best place to look for specific vacancies as they become available. If you don’t see a suitable vacancy to apply at this time, we encourage you to upload your CV.

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