RWE’s Theodore Wind Farm awarded Capacity Investment Scheme contract

• 1.1-gigawatt wind development project located in Central Queensland
• Next milestone towards FID: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation approvals
• $17.5 million Community Benefit Fund proposed over project’s lifetime
• Development Application secured for project, which will power about 500,000 Queensland homes

The Australian government today announced the results of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 7 for renewables. RWE secured a CIS contract for its 1.1-gigawatt (GW) Theodore wind project, located in Central Queensland. The total investment volume to realise Theodore Wind Farm is $3 billion.

The proposed Theodore Wind Farm site is located about 22 kilometres east of the township of Theodore, 50 kilometres south-west of Biloela and 150 kilometres south-west of Gladstone, in the Banana Shire Local Government Area. The proposed 1.1GW project would incorporate a wind farm with up to 170 turbines and a battery storage facility. It would generate enough electricity to power about 500,000 Queensland homes.

Dan Belton, CEO RWE Renewables Australia: “The proposed Theodore Wind Farm is a $3 billion, 1.1 GW project that will deliver new energy security and jobs to the Gladstone region’s growing population and industrial base, while assisting with electricity affordability for all Queenslanders. The strength of the project is underpinned by the support of local stakeholders and RWE’s commitment to working in partnership with the community and ensuring they share in the economic benefits the project will deliver. The project will create 500 construction jobs, as well as 25 operational and 300 indirect jobs over its 35-year life. There will also be $500 million spent in the local area and more than $17 million funding for community benefits.”

The project secured its state Development Application in June 2025 and is working through the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation (EPBC) process. Construction is expected to start later this year, subject to EPBC approvals and final investment decision. It is expected to take up to four years and require a workforce of up to 500 people at peak periods. The project has broad community support and was one of the most recent wind projects to receive Development Approval in Queensland. The project’s Sponsorship Fund has already delivered more than $215,000 to the local community and it has committed to a Community Benefit Fund of at least $500,000 per year throughout construction and operations - $17.5 million in total during the operational lifetime of the wind farm.

RWE Renewables Australia

Australia is one of RWE’s focus markets, where it has been present since 2013. In 2021, the company commissioned the Limondale Solar Farm in Balranald, New South Wales. The large-scale 314 MWac solar farm is made up of 872,000 panels and generates enough electricity to power about 105,000 homes per year. RWE’s Australian team is developing a portfolio of wind, solar, and battery storage projects across the country, supported by the global RWE team. RWE has recently completed construction of Australia’s first eight-hour BESS and co-designed a Community Benefit Agreement with Cassowary Coast Regional Council for a proposed BESS at Tully, in Far North Queensland.