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) & Karara Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) (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 AUD in local economic benefit. It is ACCIONA Energía’s biggest renewable energy facility and one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world. The wind farm is expected to complete construction by the end of 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
- Structure: 162 turbines
- Construction completion due: End 2025
- Grid Connection: Incorporates an overhead transmission line (OHTL) from the MacIntyre Intermediate Switching Station to Tummaville Substation
KEY POINTS
- Local economic benefit: procured over $680m AUD in services, labour and materials from across Queensland
- 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
- At least 2% of the project work hours to be performed by persons who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI)
- Providing 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 Energía 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 120 wind turbines, with ancillary infrastructure including on-site substations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Location: Approximately 50km 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: 816MW (approximately)
- Structure: 120 turbines
- Timeline: The project is currently in development, with construction proposed to commence in late 2027
KEY POINTS
- Jobs: Up to 1,000 construction jobs and up to 25 ongoing full-time roles expected during operations
- Community benefits: In partnership with the region’s local government, we will co-design a community benefits program - delivering meaningful, long-term outcomes that offer a genuine legacy of investment for our host communities.
- Procurement and supplier opportunities: We are committed to sourcing as much work as possible from local businesses, ensuring economic growth and development opportunities that benefit local communities. From earthworks to catering, we want to work with local people to supply our projects.
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 50km west of Warwick, 12km south of Karara in Queensland, in the Goondiwindi local government area
- Capacity: 103MW
- Structure: Up to 18 turbines
- Timeline: The project is in development with construction proposed to commence in 2026.
Karara Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
ACCIONA Energía is currently developing the proposed Karara Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
The site for the Karara BESS has been strategically selected as it is directly adjacent to Powerlink’s existing MacIntyre Intermediate Switching Station (MISS) and overhead transmission line. This will enable an optimal and efficient point of interconnection and minimise the need for additional transmission line cabling or transmission towers. Additionally, the proposed BESS has been designed to occupy existing cleared areas. By locating the BESS in an area with existing similar infrastructure and limited vegetation, we minimise environmental impacts and preserve surrounding amenity. The BESS site is on the same land parcel as the approved but not constructed Karara Wind Farm.
Currently, the Karara BESS project is in the development stage with construction proposed to commence in mid-late 2026.
The function of the Karara BESS is to receive and store electricity during periods of low energy demand or oversupply and export back to the grid during periods of high demand.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Location: Approximately 50km west of Warwick, 12km south of Karara in Queensland, in the Goondiwindi local government area
- Capacity: 400MW/2 hr storage duration (800MWh)
- Timeline: The project is in development, with the Development Application being lodged in late 2024. Construction is proposed to commence in early 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.