A Queensland wind project has shaved 110 hectares off its footprint and moved some turbine locations in response to critiques during the federal environmental process.
The 360 megawatt (MW) Moah Creek wind project wants to install 60 turbines, but has ditched one of four meteorological masts and shifted four of the turbines in the south west in order to protect more land for greater gliders and a particular variety of cycad.
Central Queensland Power (CQP), a joint venture between Energy Estate and Renewable Energy Systems, is ploughing ahead with the project, despite the state-owned utility CleanCo reneging on a deal to buy it in January.
Moah Creek was one of the winners of the fourth federal Capacity Investment Scheme tender, the Commonwealth underwriting scheme for new generation and firming projects.
The project won state approval late last year, but the federal environmental assessment is still rolling onwards, after starting almost three years ago.
