Bungaban Wins Federal Approval for 1.4GW Wind and 500MW Solar Projects

Two federal approvals move the Bungaban hub through a major development gate

On 25 September, the Federal Government confirmed environmental approval for both the Bungaban Solar Project and the Bungaban Wind Farm. The 500MW solar project became the 150th renewable project approved nationally since May 2022, while the 1.4GW wind farm became the 152nd and the 50th Queensland renewable project approved over that period.

The Federal Government said Bungaban Solar received its green light in 20 business days after the project selected a site on previously cleared and environmentally degraded land. The neighbouring wind farm was approved following a more extensive assessment and is subject to conditions intended to minimise environmental impacts.

For Bungaban Wind, the decision is a significant stage change. The project already received Queensland State Development Approval in March 2025 and was selected under the Australian Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme in May 2026. Windlab has previously said first energisation could be possible as early as 2028, although delivery timing remains dependent on the remaining commercial, transmission and construction workstreams.

Bungaban Solar is less advanced but has also been progressing steadily. Western Downs Regional Council approved its development application in June 2025. Windlab said earlier this month that key land agreements were secured, a grid connection enquiry had been completed with Powerlink and market engagement with potential suppliers and contractors was underway.

The hub combines two generation projects with a separate transmission connection

Project system

Up to 1.9GW of generation is being developed through the Windlab-Squadron joint venture

Windlab and Squadron Energy formed a 50/50 joint venture in April 2026 to progress Bungaban Wind and Bungaban Solar. The wind project is the more advanced component and is planned at up to 1.4GW. The solar project is proposed at up to 500MW and its federal referral also includes an associated battery energy storage system.

The Bungaban projects sit between Wandoan and Taroom in southern Queensland. The wind project spans the Western Downs and Banana Shire local government areas, while the solar proposal is located near Wandoan in the Western Downs Regional Council area.

The Federal Government says the two approved generation projects would together avoid around 4.92 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The wind farm alone is expected to create around 1,000 peak-construction jobs, 50 ongoing roles and about $500 million of regional economic activity.

The approval stack is stronger, but several delivery gates remain

Confirmed now vs next gates

Approvals reduce development risk without collapsing the remaining work into one decision

For the wind project, confirmed milestones now include Queensland State Development Approval, federal environmental approval and selection under the Capacity Investment Scheme. The owner structure is also clear: Windlab and Squadron Energy are progressing Bungaban through their 50/50 joint venture.

For the solar project, the confirmed pathway includes Western Downs Regional Council development approval, federal environmental approval, secured land arrangements, a Powerlink grid connection enquiry and active market engagement with potential suppliers and contractors.

What remains is equally important. The projects still require commercial decisions around financing, final delivery strategy and major package procurement. The grid connection workstream has its own environmental assessment. Construction timing will also depend on detailed design, access, transmission readiness, equipment lead times and the sequencing of civil and electrical packages.

The separate Powerlink connection remains a critical dependency

Powerlink has been engaged to connect the 1.4GW wind farm to Queensland’s transmission network. The current connection concept comprises a new Warranna 275kV substation near the wind farm and a new double-circuit 275kV transmission line extending about 83km to the existing Wandoan South Substation.

The connection project was referred under the EPBC Act in December 2025 and was determined to be a controlled action in February 2026. Powerlink’s current project material says the assessment is progressing through preliminary documentation. Its referral describes a target of completing approvals in the first quarter of 2027, followed — subject to approvals — by construction through to the first quarter of 2029.

The distinction matters commercially because the generation approvals announced today do not automatically approve Powerlink’s transmission works. The connection package has its own land, environmental, cultural heritage, civil, substation and transmission-line interfaces.

The contractor signal is moving from development studies toward executable delivery planning

Commercial position

Approval certainty improves the basis for supplier engagement

Bungaban’s scale creates a wide potential supply-chain footprint across civil earthworks, roads and drainage, turbine foundations, solar balance-of-plant, electrical systems, substations, cabling, heavy transport, cranage, concrete, quarry products, environmental services, temporary facilities, commissioning and long-term operations support.

But BBI is keeping a strict line between likely capability needs and confirmed procurement. Windlab has publicly confirmed market engagement for Bungaban Solar, which is a genuine current commercial signal. The sources reviewed do not establish that the major wind, solar or transmission construction packages are broadly open for bid today.

For local and regional contractors, the most important near-term signals will be owner-issued EOIs, registration campaigns, major EPC or balance-of-plant appointments, turbine and solar equipment selections, Powerlink package releases and the finalisation of financing and investment decisions.

What BBI is watching next

Contractor and supplier signals to monitor