Windlab’s Gawara Baya project has been selected as one of 20 successful developments under the Australian Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), unlocking new opportunities for clean energy generation and regional investment in skills and community partnerships in North Queensland.

The project will deliver around 400 MW of renewable capacity. Located on Gugu Badhun Country, Gawara Baya is designed to strengthen energy resilience, support Queensland’s transition to clean energy, and deliver long-term benefits for local communities.

The CIS is a catalyst for deeper regional impact. Its support enables Windlab to scale up local training, workforce development and supply chain participation, allowing the project to deliver more, sooner, and with greater reach than would otherwise be possible.

The project is expected to inject over $200 million in total regional economic value, driven by local employment, supply chain participation, and contracting opportunities.

The CIS award gives Windlab additional assurance to progress procurement, contracting, and early construction, with a strong focus on local and regional participation. The project will create more than 300 peak construction jobs, with strong local content commitments built into major contracts.

The project also includes dedicated First Nations partnerships, focused on cultural heritage protection, employment pathways, and long-term collaboration with Traditional Owners.

Windlab Chief Project Delivery Officer Tom Keddie said the project reflects the company’s values-led approach to development.

“Windlab and the Gugu Badhun Aboriginal Corporation have worked closely for several years to design a model that recognises cultural responsibility, their Native Title rights, and Traditional Owner participation. Our Indigenous Land Use Agreement lays the foundation of employment and procurement pathways and embeds Gugu Badhun culture and language in the project. However, it is our relationship that is the heartbeat of a successful project,” Mr Keddie said.

“Gawara Baya is more than a clean energy project. It is a regional development engine that will create jobs, build local capability, and deliver lasting value for communities across North Queensland.”

“This is a project shaped by people and place. From the beginning, we’ve worked alongside the Gugu Badhun people and local communities to ensure Gawara Baya reflects their aspirations and delivers meaningful outcomes for the region.”

Gawara Baya will also deliver a $200,000 annual Community Benefit Fund distributed equally between Hinchinbrook and Charters Towers Local Government Areas, supporting local priorities across health, liveability, economic development and environmental initiatives.

The project is designed to coexist with agriculture, protect biodiversity, and reflect the aspirations of the communities it serves.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, bringing new opportunities for local jobs and regional investment.

Windlab remains focused on delivering projects that create meaningful impact — for people, place, and climate.

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About Windlab

Windlab is Australia’s renewable energy pioneer.  

For over 20 years, we have set new standards in the development and construction of clean energy infrastructure through an unwavering commitment to balance the needs of our stakeholders, community, Country, and the environment.  

As owners and operators of some of Australia’s most significant renewable energy projects, we know how important it is to keep raising the bar and delivering meaningful value for all — ultimately making renewables the easy choice for our future.

Learn more at www.windlab.com

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About Gawara Baya

Gawara Baya is a responsibly developed and fully approved wind energy project with the potential to power up to 250,000 Australian homes and avoid more than 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

Located on Gugu Badhun Country in North Queensland, the project combines strong environmental credentials with meaningful stakeholder engagement and a clear strategic vision. It has been shaped by years of planning, consultation and more than 8,000 hours of ecological study.

Gawara Baya will be the first renewable energy project in Australia to implement a verifiable biodiversity net-gain program, setting a new benchmark for environmental leadership in the sector.

The project is designed to deliver lasting economic, social and cultural benefits for regional Queensland while contributing to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.