Wandoan South Project
| Project Name | Wandoan South Project |
| Technology | Solar Photovoltaic | Battery Energy Storage System |
| Capacity | 650 MW | 450 MW |
| Project Size | 1,336 ha |
| Location | Woleebee, Queensland |
| In Development | Wandoan South 2 BESS & Solar |
| In Construction | Wandoan South Solar 1 |
| In Operation | Wandoan South BESS |
SECTIONS
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Wandoan South Project is located near Wandoan, 400km northwest of Brisbane in the Darling Downs region. The approved Project, which incorporates both solar and battery storage technology, was originally approved by Western Downs Regional Council in 2017.
The development, which has undergone phases of technical refinement since 2017 has most recently been endorsed by Council in 2022; currently designed to have a power generation capacity of up to 650 megawatts (MW) of solar across 2 primary stages and up to 450MW of battery storage to be delivered over 3 sub-stages within the development footprint.
The Project will be connected to Powerlink’s Wandoan South Substation, located immediately to the south of the Project site. This connection potential provides a strong link to the wider electricity grid, which has an extensive customer base given the high electrical demand within the Surat Basin.
The Wandoan South Project has been a foundational piece of Vena Energy Australia’s pipeline since it’s conception in 2016. The first stage of BESS has been constructed and operating since August 2022 and will soon be followed by the first stage of solar which commenced construction in 2022 and is set to reach commercial operation in 2023.
Planning Process
Engagement
Benefits
Vena Energy Australia supports a local procurement policy and promotes participation from local, regional, and Australian suppliers wherever possible; it’s envisioned that the Project will make a positive economic contribution across Australian economies throughout the life of the Project.
Local employment opportunities will be encouraged by Vena Energy Australia through the chosen Engineering Procurement and Construction partner’s and with a workforce that is anticipated to peak at over 250 people per stage during construction, it’s presumed that a portion of the team will be from within the local community.
The solar farm will insulate the regional electricity market from fluctuations in fuel prices by increasing the diversity of the energy system and the BESS will offer support and ancillary services to the network, ultimately encouraging future renewable energy generation.
Employment & Procurement
An extensive construction workforce is required to build each stage of the Wandoan South Project, and will provide opportunities for employment across several key sectors, including:
- Earthmoving
- Civil works
- Fencing & landscape contracting
- Electrical & telecommunications
- Surveying
- Security
- Installation & general labour
- Environment & weed control
Following construction there will be a number of full-time and part-time operation and maintenance positions available throughout the operational lifespan of the Project. Maintenance activities include electrical maintenance, site management and administration, environmental services, weed control, fire management, site security and cleaning of the solar panels.
Register your interest in employment opportunities or to provide services for the Project below.
Employment & Procurement
Feedback
Vena Energy Australia is committed to delivering world class renewable energy projects that better serve the interests of our stakeholders.
Further to this commitment, we take pride in keeping an open ear, so we invite you to get in touch if you have any feedback or require additional project information.
Please contact us via the platforms below.
Wandoan South Project Team
Phone: 1800 841 229
Email: wssp.mailbox@venaenergy.com
