Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners acquires Gawara Baya hybrid onshore wind and battery storage project in Australia
Type: Acquisition · Technology: Hybrid · Country: Australia · Announced: 2026-08-31
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) acquired the Gawara Baya hybrid project in North Queensland, Australia, from Windlab for an undisclosed amount. The project combines a 408-megawatt onshore wind farm with a 104-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS), totaling 512 MW of clean energy capacity. Once operational in 2030, the facility will supply power to up to 240,000 Australian homes while avoiding 1.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually. CIP secured a A$1.7 billion ($1.2 billion) financing facility through 10 banks for the project, which includes long-term offtake agreements with Stanwell and SmartestEnergy. The transaction aligns with CIP's €12 billion ($14 billion) fifth flagship fund focused on greenfield renewable energy investments across OECD countries.
Analysis
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners acquired the Gawara Baya hybrid onshore wind and battery storage project in North Queensland, Australia, from Windlab for an undisclosed amount, comprising a 408‑megawatt wind farm and a 104‑megawatt battery energy storage system for a total of 512 MW. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners manages €37 billion of assets under management and a pipeline of about 150 GW across more than 30 countries. Stanwell is a Queensland government‑owned electricity generator and SmartestEnergy is a UK‑headquartered renewable energy aggregator operating in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia. CIP secured an A$1.7 billion ($1.2 billion) financing facility from ten banks and signed long‑term offtake agreements with Stanwell and SmartestEnergy. The facility is scheduled to be operational in 2030, capable of powering up to 240,000 Australian homes and avoiding 1.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually.
Key points
- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners acquired the Gawara Baya hybrid project from Windlab.
- Project capacity: 408 MW wind + 104 MW battery = 512 MW.
- Financing: A$1.7 billion ($1.2 billion) from ten banks.
- Operational target: 2030, supplying up to 240,000 homes.
- Offtake agreements with Stanwell and SmartestEnergy.
Counterparties
- SmartestEnergy (Offtaker)
- Gugu Badhun People (Partner)
- Windlab (Seller)
- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (Buyer)
- Stanwell (Offtaker)
- Copenhagen Infrastructure V (Parent Company)
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