en.Wedoany.com Reported - Brisbane-based developer Renewable Energy Partners (REP) has expanded the Bogunda Energy Hub into a hybrid project incorporating solar photovoltaic and battery storage, now in early-stage development south of Hughenden in Queensland, Australia.
Originally announced in August 2024 as a 5GW wind farm, the project has been reconfigured into a 1.85GW hybrid hub. It includes approximately 136 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 850MW for wind power; over 714,000 panels with a total installed capacity of 500MW for solar photovoltaic; and a 500MW/2,000MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) with a four-hour discharge duration.
REP has established a dedicated community consultation website for the project, and ecological surveys and grid connection studies have commenced. Construction is expected to create approximately 300 jobs in the Flinders Shire region, with 20 or more long-term operational positions generated after the project becomes operational.
The development phase is expected to continue until 2029, followed by a three-year construction period, with commercial operations targeted for 2032. The project may be delivered in stages. The Bogunda Energy Hub is located within the proposed second-stage Flinders Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), with the site specifically chosen to leverage the CopperString transmission line. This high-voltage transmission line, planned by Powerlink, will connect northwest Queensland to the National Electricity Market (NEM). The project site is adjacent to the CopperString line, reducing the need for new dedicated transmission infrastructure and offering significant grid connection advantages over sites requiring new lines.
The Queensland government has committed A$3.2 billion (US$2.24 billion) to the CopperString transmission project in its 2026-27 state budget.
Founded to originate and develop large-scale renewable energy projects in Australia, REP claims a portfolio of 10GW of wind, solar, battery, and pumped storage hydro projects at various stages of development. REP Project Origination Lead Ben Larsson stated at the initial announcement that the industry had long been aware of the wind resources in the Hughenden area, and with the original vision for CopperString gradually being realized, REP looks forward to working with landowners to harness the region's wind resources.
Other REP projects in Queensland include: the 500MW Wambo Wind Farm, the 1,078MWh Ulinda Park Battery Energy Storage System developed with Akaysha Energy, the 250MW Hopeland Solar Project with Pacific Partnerships, the 150MW/300MWh Western Downs Battery Energy Storage Project connected to Powerlink's Western Downs substation, and the 500MW Yuleba Wind Farm developed with Cubico Sustainable Investments. Additionally, REP is progressing the 750MW Capricornia Pumped Storage Hydro Project with a 16-hour storage duration near Mackay, developed jointly with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and CS Energy.
The Bogunda project requires approval under Section 23 of Queensland's State Development Assessment Provisions, assessment under the EPBC Act, and negotiation of a community benefits agreement with the Flinders Shire Council.
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