The Albanese Government has approved a new wind farm in North Queensland which will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of every home in Townsville, Cairns, the Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Mackay, and Bundaberg combined.
The 800 megawatt Prairie Wind Farm is located 40km northeast of Hughenden and includes the construction of 116 wind turbines which will provide electricity to the national grid.
This approval decision marks another important milestone in the Government's plan to make Australia a renewable energy superpower.
The Government has now ticked off a record 70 renewable energy projects which would power more than 8 million Australian homes. This is the most renewable energy any government has ticked off in Australian history.
At the last election, Australians voted for progress on renewables. That's exactly what Labor is delivering.
We know projects like this are vital to boosting renewables capacity and putting downward pressure on prices, but they are also great for local jobs and economies. This project will support up to 240 direct jobs in construction and up to 20 ongoing jobs.
The Prairie Wind Farm approval comes with strict conditions to protect nature, including limits on land clearing. The project site is predominantly cleared land, and the layout has been selected to avoid and minimise any potential impacts to threatened species.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP:
"Labor is getting on with the job of transforming Australia into a renewable energy superpower while Peter Dutton and David Littleproud's expensive nuclear plan is threatening investment in renewables.
"Last year more renewable energy was connected than any other year in Australian history and 2025 is off to a great start.
"I've now approved 70 renewable energy projects - enough to power more than 8 million Australian homes.
"The renewable energy transition is real, it's happening right now. And it's the only plan supported by experts to deliver clean, affordable and reliable power for homes and businesses.
"Australians have a choice between a renewable energy transition that's already underway and driving down prices, or to add $1,200 to power bills with Peter Dutton's expensive nuclear fantasy that keeps emissions higher for longer."
