Bungaban represents a major step towards securing large-scale, low-cost wind energy to support Australia’s clean energy transition.
Situated on the traditional lands of the Iman and Auburn Hawkwood Peoples, Bungaban includes individually permitted wind and solar projects working together in one location.
Bungaban Wind is the first project being developed under a 50/50 joint venture agreement between Windlab and Squadron Energy.
This $3.9 billion, 1.4GW development has the capacity to provide clean energy to the equivalent of 860,000 Queensland homes, displacing about 4 million tonnes of carbon from the state’s energy generation profile every year.
Bungaban Solar is a utility-scale solar project strategically sited near the Bungaban Wind project site. Bungaban Solar will leverage existing infrastructure to optimise renewable energy output.
Bungaban is situated between Wandoan and Taroom, about 450km north-west of Brisbane, within the northern and southern extents of the Western Downs and Banana Shire local government areas respectively.
The projects will coexist alongside several host properties’ long-established cattle operations and connect to the Wandoan South substation via Powerlink’s planned transmission line.
Strategically developing complementary wind and solar projects alongside the region’s foundational agricultural industry maximises the valuable use of the land, minimises impact to the community, and supports efficient supply of energy to the grid when it’s needed.
By taking advantage of the area's natural energy patterns - where wind picks up as the sun goes down - Bungaban helps ensure renewable energy can power the grid around the clock.
Bungaban Wind is the most mature project in the Hub, and is expected to be operational by 2030.
Bungaban Solar is the next project being developed, with a Development Application submitted to Western Downs Regional Council in May 2025.
Our success relies on strong, long-term relationships, andthe delivery of equitable benefits that make an enduring, positive legacy forlocal people living in regional and rural Australia.
Since 2020, we’ve been working with regional stakeholders to build an understanding of local priorities, while validating the region’s renewable energy resource potential and completing the required technical and approvals work.
Our focus is to support the community to participate in the development process to shape Bungaban, informed by local insight.
We recognise any new development can have an impact, and the utmost care must be taken to protect environment and community values.
Our approach to development is an iterative process that unfolds over several years. Comprehensive technical, environment, and socio-economic studies, together with input from ongoing stakeholder consultation, are essential parts of the process, and this takes time.
We are committed to working with landholders, Traditional Owners, community members, experts and partners to deliver meaningful, equitable benefits, and manage change associated with our projects in a way that is balanced, supported by stakeholders, and backed by science.
A strategic partnership with Rio Tinto for 80 per cent of all energy produced over 25 years, will see Bungaban play a critical role in securing the sustainable future of central Queensland’s metals and advanced manufacturing industries.
This is the largest renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement in Australia, and highlights the important role large scale renewable energy projects play in securing a sustainable future for Queensland's powerhouse traditional industries and thousands of regional jobs across the State. The remaining 20 per cent of the project’s generated electricity will supply Australia’s National Electricity Market, delivering clean electricity to homes and businesses.
