RWE’s A$3 Billion Wind Farm Project to Support Power Supply for 500,000 Queensland Homes

RWE’s A$3 Billion Wind Farm Project to Support Power Supply for 500,000 Queensland Homes

(IN BRIEF) RWE’s proposed 1.1 GW Theodore Wind Farm in Central Queensland has received Australian Federal Government approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The project has now secured the key state and federal approvals needed and will move on to secondary consents with local authorities. The A$3 billion project is expected to include up to 170 wind turbines and a battery storage system in Banana Shire. Once operational, it could supply electricity to around 500,000 Queensland homes. RWE expects the project to create up to 500 construction jobs, around 25 operational jobs and 300 indirect jobs over its 30-year life. It is also expected to contribute A$500 million to Queensland during construction and deliver A$17.5 million in community benefits. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, subject to a final investment decision, with commissioning following after a construction period of up to four years.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 15-Jul-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE’s proposed Theodore Wind Farm in Central Queensland, Australia, has received approval from the Australian Federal Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, marking a major step forward for the 1.1-gigawatt onshore wind development.

With the federal EPBC approval now secured, alongside the project’s State Development Approval, Theodore Wind Farm has obtained the key state and federal approvals required for the project. RWE will now progress secondary consents with the local council and other relevant authorities.

The EPBC approval includes conditions focused on biodiversity protection and the management of potential environmental impacts. RWE said it will continue to implement environmental management and monitoring plans in line with the approval requirements.

The proposed A$3 billion project is expected to play an important role in Australia’s energy transition, supporting energy security, regional employment and electricity affordability in Queensland.

Located in Banana Shire in Central Queensland, the Theodore Wind Farm is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 500,000 Queensland homes. The project will include up to 170 wind turbines and a battery storage system.

RWE said the development will also bring economic benefits to the Gladstone region and Queensland more broadly. It is expected to create up to 500 construction jobs, around 25 operational jobs and approximately 300 indirect jobs over its 30-year life.

The project is also expected to contribute A$500 million to Queensland during construction and deliver A$17.5 million in community benefits.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027, subject to a final investment decision. The construction phase is expected to take up to four years and require a workforce of up to 500 people during peak periods.

Sopna Sury, Chief Executive Officer of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, said the EPBC approval is an important milestone for the project.

“Receiving EPBC approval for the Theodore Wind Farm marks an important milestone for the project and underlines our commitment to delivering reliable electricity for a resilient energy system,” said Sury.

She added that RWE has worked closely with regulators, neighbours and local stakeholders to ensure the project meets high environmental standards.

“We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we move into the next phase,” she said.

Theodore Wind Farm secured State Development Approval in June 2025. In May 2026, the project was also awarded a Capacity Investment Scheme contract under Tender 7 for renewables.

RWE said it remains committed to working with local communities and stakeholders to ensure the project delivers shared value and supports sustainable regional development.

Australia is one of RWE’s focus markets, where the company has been active since 2013. In 2021, RWE commissioned the Limondale Solar Farm in Balranald, New South Wales. The 314 MWac solar farm includes 872,000 panels and generates enough electricity to power around 105,000 homes per year.

Next to the solar farm, RWE has started full operation of the Limondale battery storage system, described by the company as Australia’s first eight-hour battery energy storage system.

RWE’s Australian team is developing a portfolio of onshore wind, solar and battery storage projects across the country, supported by the group’s global renewable energy expertise.

RWE

RWE is leading the way to a modern energy world. With its investment and growth strategy, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in over 20 countries worldwide. RWE is one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. Thanks to its integrated portfolio of renewables, battery storage and flexible generation, as well as its broad project pipeline of possible new builds, RWE is well positioned to address the growing global demand for electricity, particularly driven by further electrification and artificial intelligence. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the current views, expectations and assumptions of management, and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee the occurrence of future results and developments and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and developments may deviate materially from the expectations and assumptions expressed in this document due to various factors. These factors primarily include changes in the general economic and competitive environment. Furthermore, developments on financial markets and changes in currency exchange rates as well as changes in national and international laws, in particular in respect of fiscal regulation, and other factors influence the company’s future results and developments. Neither the company nor any of its affiliates undertakes to update the statements contained in this press release.

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About Theodore Wind Farm

The proposed Theodore Wind Farm will comprise up to 170 turbines and a battery storage system in Banana Shire, central Queensland. The project is expected to power about 500,000 Queensland homes.

The project secured State Development Approval in June 2025 and, in May this year, was awarded a Capacity Investment Scheme contract under Tender 7 for renewables. RWE is committed to working in partnership with local communities and stakeholders to ensure the project delivers shared value and supports sustainable regional development.

RWE Renewables Australia

Australia is one of RWE’s focus markets, where it has been present since 2013. In 2021, the company commissioned the Limondale Solar Farm in Balranald, New South Wales. The large-scale 314 MWac solar farm comprises 872,000 panels and generates enough electricity to power about 105,000 homes per year. Adjacent to the solar farm, RWE has started full operation of its Limondale battery storage system, which is Australia’s first eight-hour BESS. RWE’s Australian team is developing a portfolio of onshore wind, solar and battery storage projects across the country, supported by the global RWE team.

Media Contact:

Viola Baumann
RWE Renewables Europe & Australia
Spokesperson
Mob: +49 (0) 152 57909343
Email: viola.baumann@rwe.com

SOURCE: RWE AG