Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), on behalf of its Copenhagen Infrastructure V fund, has acquired Gawara Baya, a hybrid onshore wind farm and grid-forming battery energy storage system (BESS) project in North Queensland, Australia. Located on Gugu Badhun Country, south-west of Ingham, the project will combine a 408 MW onshore wind farm with 104 MW of BESS. It will comprise 68 wind turbines.
The project has secured a AUD 1.7 billion financing facility from 10 banks. With major approvals in place, CIP has taken a final investment decision and reached financial close, with construction now set to begin. Gawara Baya is expected to become fully operational in 2030.
Gawara Baya has secured long-term energy offtake arrangements with Stanwell and SmartestEnergy, as well as participation in the Australian Government's Capacity Investment Scheme.
CIP acquired the project from Windlab, an Australian renewable energy developer and operator active in onshore wind and BESS.
