Our projects

Mount Emerald Wind Farm

A sustainable energy source in Atherton Tablelands, QLD

Location: Atherton Tablelands, QLD

Status: Operational

Network: Powerlink

Wind Turbines icon

53

Wind Turbines
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180.5MW

Capacity
Avg Homes Powered Per Year​ icon

75,000

Avg Homes Powered Per Year​
Beginning of operations icon

2019

Beginning of operations

About the project

As Queensland’s largest wind farm at the time, Mount Emerald set several benchmarks when it began generating power in late 2018.

Producing an average of 500 GWh of safe, clean, renewable electricity each year, the wind farm helps avoid 275,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually throughout its operational life.

Located on a plateau approximately two kilometres north of the landmark Mount Emerald—which stands 1,122 metres above sea level. The wind farm site itself sits at an elevation of around 900 metres, presenting significant development challenges.

To suit the site’s unique conditions, two types of wind turbines were installed:

  • 37 turbines with a 3.45 MW capacity, each reaching 148.5 metres to the blade tip
  • 16 turbines with a 3.3 MW capacity, each standing 140 metres tall to the blade tip.

The turbines are carefully positioned away from known Northern Quoll habitats and prominent ridgelines to reduce both environmental and cultural heritage impacts. A seed bank, established on the adjacent 435-hectare site, supports our environmental and biodiversity offset management efforts.

The operational footprint of the wind farm occupies just 0.03% of the total 2,400-hectare site and includes:

  • 35 km of new site roads, constructed to transport turbines from Cairns, provide access for maintenance throughout the turbines’ working lives, and support decommissioning in the future
  • a substation that connects the generated power to the local National Electricity Market, and
  • a control room and facilities for operations and maintenance staff.
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Latest News

 Community groups benefit from Mount Emerald Fund Picture
May 16, 2025

Community groups benefit from Mount Emerald Fund

Nine community groups in Far North Queensland have secured grants in the first round of funding in 2025 from the Mount Emerald Wind Farm Community Fund. Successful applicants were: Rotary Club of…
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 $2.5 Million to communities across Australia Picture
November 1, 2024

$2.5 Million to communities across Australia

More than $2.5 million has been distributed to almost 250 community projects across Australia as part of RATCH-Australia’s Corporation (RAC) benefit sharing program over the past five years. The RAC benefit…
Read More
 $Million milestone for Mount Emerald Wind Farm Community Fund Picture
October 11, 2023

$Million milestone for Mount Emerald Wind Farm Community Fund

133 GROUPS HELPED IN FIVE YEARS The Mount Emerald Wind Farm Community Fund advisory committee has granted $1,034,732.52 since its inception five years ago.   RATCH-Australia Corporation (RAC) CEO Polagorn Kheosiplard said…
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