RWE's proposed Theodore Wind Farm in Central Queensland has received Federal Government approval under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, clearing the final regulatory hurdle for what would become one of the country's largest onshore wind developments.

Full Approval Package Now Secured

The German energy company announced on 15 July 2026 that the Theodore Wind Farm project has now secured both its federal EPBC approval and its State Development Application, meaning it holds all necessary state and federal consents required to advance the project. RWE said it will now work through secondary consents with the local council and other relevant authorities before moving toward construction.

The EPBC approval, which governs environmental protection and biodiversity conservation at a federal level in Australia, comes with conditions specifically focused on protecting biodiversity and managing potential environmental impacts. RWE stated it will implement comprehensive environmental management and monitoring plans in accordance with those requirements.

The project also secured State Development Approval in June 2025 and in May 2026 was awarded a Capacity Investment Scheme contract under Tender 7 for renewables, further anchoring its position within Australia's energy planning framework.

Scale and Economic Footprint

The Theodore Wind Farm is a proposed USD 2.1 billion development situated in Banana Shire, Central Queensland. At a capacity of 1.1 gigawatts, the project would comprise up to 170 turbines alongside a battery storage system. RWE expects the wind farm to generate enough electricity to power approximately 500,000 Queensland homes over its 30-year operational life.

The economic contribution to Queensland is expected to be substantial. RWE projects that construction of the project alone will contribute A$500 million to the state's economy, with an additional USD 12.25 million directed toward community benefits over the project's lifetime.

The company said the development will create up to 500 construction jobs, with peak periods requiring a workforce of the same size. Once operational, the project is expected to support approximately 25 direct operational roles and around 300 indirect jobs over its three-decade lifespan.

RWE described the project as playing a key role in Australia's energy transition and said it is intended to deliver new energy security and employment to the Gladstone region, which it characterized as having a growing population and expanding industrial base.

Construction Timeline and Investment Decision

Construction of the Theodore Wind Farm is expected to begin in 2027, subject to a final investment decision by RWE. The company indicated that construction will take up to four years to complete. No further details regarding the timing or process of the final investment decision were disclosed in the announcement.

Executive Comment

Sopna Sury, Chief Executive Officer of RWE Renewables Europe and Australia, said the EPBC approval represents an important milestone for the project. "We have worked closely with regulators, neighbours and local stakeholders to ensure the project meets high environmental standards," Sury said. "We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we move into the next phase."

Sury framed the approval as an affirmation of the company's broader commitment to delivering reliable electricity as part of a resilient energy system.

RWE's Existing Australian Presence

RWE has operated in Australia since 2013 and currently manages a portfolio of renewable energy assets in the country. Its most prominent existing installation is the Limondale Solar Farm in Balranald, New South Wales, which was commissioned in 2021.

The large-scale facility operates at 314 megawatts AC and comprises 872,000 solar panels, producing enough electricity annually to power approximately 105,000 homes.

Adjacent to the solar farm, RWE has also brought into full operation the Limondale battery energy storage system, which the company describes as Australia's first eight-hour battery energy storage system.

The company said its Australian team continues to develop a portfolio of onshore wind, solar, and battery storage projects across the country, supported by the broader global RWE organization.

The Theodore Wind Farm, if constructed as proposed, would represent a significant expansion of RWE's renewable energy footprint in Australia, with its 1.1-gigawatt capacity dwarfing the existing Limondale solar installation by a considerable margin in terms of nameplate generation capacity.

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