MELBOURNE, Australia -- September 01, 2026 -- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has reached financial close on Gawara Baya, a hybrid onshore wind and battery storage project in North Queensland, securing a AUD 1.7 billion facility from 10 banks. The acquisition, made on behalf of CIP's fifth flagship fund, Copenhagen Infrastructure V, follows receipt of all major approvals and a final investment decision. CIP bought the project from Australian developer Windlab. Construction has now started, with the project expected to be fully operational in 2030.
CIP secures AUD 1.7 billion facility from a 10-bank syndicate
The financing package backs a project combining a 408 MW onshore wind farm with 104 MW of grid-forming battery energy storage, located on Gugu Badhun Country south-west of Ingham. The site will host 68 wind turbines. CIP said the completed asset could supply clean power to as many as 240,000 Australian homes and avoid 1.2 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually from the energy sector.
Windlab sale hands CIP long-term offtake deals with Stanwell and SmartestEnergy
Gawara Baya carries energy offtake agreements with Stanwell and SmartestEnergy, alongside participation in the Australian Government's Capacity Investment Scheme. CIP cited these arrangements as the basis for long-term revenue certainty heading into construction. Windlab, the seller, has an established track record developing onshore wind and battery storage projects in Australia.
Construction is set to inject AUD 200 million into regional Queensland
CIP said the project will inject more than AUD 200 million into the regional Queensland economy through local employment, procurement and supply chain participation. The company put the job total at up to 500 direct and indirect positions in regional Queensland during construction. Yi-Hua Lu, Partner at CIP, called Gawara Baya "an important addition to our Australian portfolio," adding that the company will work with the Gugu Badhun People and local communities as construction proceeds.
Thomas Wibe Poulsen, Partner at CIP, said the deal allows the firm to deploy near-term capital from its fifth flagship fund to bring the asset into operation for Australian energy users.