Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), acting on behalf of its 'flagship' fund Copenhagen Infrastructure V (CI V), has closed the acquisition of "Gawara Baya," a large hybrid project of onshore wind energy combined with a battery energy storage system (BESS, for its initials in English) with grid-forming capability. The facility is located in the north of Queensland State (Australia) and has been purchased from the developer Windlab, according to the firm itself.
Once all key authorizations were obtained, CI V made the final investment decision and completed the financial close, securing financing of 1.7 billion Australian dollars (about 1.05 billion euros) with the backing of a dozen financial entities. Construction works are now starting, and the forecast is that the complex will enter full commercial operation in 2030.
"Gawara Baya" is configured as a hybrid development that integrates a 408 megawatt (MW) onshore wind farm along with a 104 MW BESS. The project is located on the lands of the Gugu Badhun people, southwest of the town of Ingham, in northern Queensland.
The design includes the installation of 68 wind turbines and will provide the complex with enough capacity to supply renewable electricity to up to 240,000 Australian homes. Additionally, it will prevent the emission of 1.2 million tons of carbon annually from Australia's energy sector.
The project already has long-term power purchase agreements, including contracts with Stanwell and SmartestEnergy, and is integrated into the Capacity Investment Scheme of the Australian Government. This regulatory and contractual framework guarantees high visibility of long-term revenues as the initiative progresses in its construction phase.
According to estimates, the complex will contribute more than 200 million Australian dollars (about 124 million euros) to the regional economy of Queensland through local job creation, service contracting, and boosting the supply chain. In total, it is expected to generate up to 500 direct and indirect jobs in the area.