Renewables developer Gamuda Australia has signed a landmark agreement with local Tasmanian landowners to co-develop a portfolio of large-scale renewable energy projects in Central Tasmania.
The portfolio represents a combined capacity of 600MW of wind and solar energy generation and up to 600MW of battery storage (BESS).
The portfolio, which currently includes Weasel Solar Farm and Cellars Hill Wind Farm, has been led by prominent Tasmanian landowners, the Downie Family with development partner Alternate Path. The Downie Family has held pastoral land in Tasmania for over 200 years, and Peter Downie is a respected community member and renewable energy advocate.
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As a landowner-led project portfolio, the project planning has been developed in close collaboration with local landowners, community and government to be sensitive to the local environment and deliver local community jobs and benefits, including energy rebates to households within a 12km radius of the portfolio.
Gamuda will take an equity stake in the portfolio to secure development rights for the current and future projects and deliver them under sole-source Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts. This will set the company up with a pipeline of energy construction work through to 2029. The agreement is subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval.
Downie said, “We have been highly selective in finding the right partner to work with us to develop this portfolio that brings both a financial and technical contribution and is wholly committed to the strong social licence and landowner-led principles of these projects.
“We have been in discussion with Gamuda for many months and have seen their genuine partnership approach and commitment to our community values. We’re excited to move forward together to deliver these projects for the benefit of Tasmanians.”
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Gamuda chief strategy and growth officer Jarred Hardman said, “This deal represents our first Australian investment and aligns with our goal to invest and construct high-quality energy projects to diversify and grow our Australian business.
This builds upon our ongoing success in the Australian infrastructure market where we are delivering a $4.5 billion pipeline and is supported by our energy experience across a range of projects internationally.”
Subject to further planning and development processes and approvals, construction of Weasel Solar Farm is estimated to commence in 2027 and Cellars Hill Wind Farm in 2028.
