A major new partnership has been announced between Tasmanian landowners and Gamuda Holdings Pty Ltd, an Australian subsidiary of Gamuda. The deal will see the development of large-scale renewable energy projects in Central Tasmania, focusing on wind, solar, and battery storage.
The projects include the Weasel Solar Farm and the Cellars Hill Wind Farm, with a combined energy capacity of 600 megawatts (MW) for both wind and solar power, plus up to 600 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS). This development is led by the Downie Family, who have managed pastoral land in Tasmania for over 200 years, alongside their development partner, Alternate Path.
The projects are unique because they are landowner-led, meaning local landowners have been central to the planning process. The development aims to benefit the local community by creating jobs and offering energy rebates to households within a 12km radius of the projects.
Peter Downie, a key member of the Downie Family, expressed his enthusiasm: “This deal is a win for landowners, the community, and Gamuda. We’ve carefully chosen Gamuda as a partner because of their commitment to community values and renewable energy.”
Gamuda’s clean energy push
Gamuda will take an equity stake in the projects, securing rights to develop and manage current and future projects. They will handle the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) aspects, ensuring the projects progress smoothly. The agreement is still subject to approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board.
Jarred Hardman, Gamuda’s Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, highlighted the significance: “This is Gamuda’s first Australian investment in clean energy and aligns with our goal to be a leading developer, builder, and owner of energy assets in Australia.”
Gamuda has been expanding its presence in Australia’s energy sector, currently involved in projects like the Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Project in NSW and the Capricornia Energy Hub in Queensland.
Pending final approvals, construction of the Weasel Solar Farm is expected to start in the 2027 financial year, with the Cellars Hill Wind Farm following in 2028.