An industry coalition, including Squadron Energy’s Clarke Creek Wind Farm, has been named a finalist in the Collaboration Award in the prestigious 2026 Clean Energy Council Awards.
The partnership between Squadron Energy, Iberdrola Australia, Isaac Regional Council, CS Energy, Tilt Renewables and ACCIONA Energía was chosen for maximising the positive impact of renewable projects for local communities by coordinating community benefit activities.
Yesterday, at the Australian Clean Energy Summit, Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Jackie Trad announced a proposal for a national Renewable Resources Payment scheme, saying companies in Central Queensland were already using a similar model to invest in the future of the Isaac region.
Working together over the past year, the partnership:
- coordinated investment in regional infrastructure, including a $750,000 upgrade to the Broadsound telecommunications tower and works on Marlborough-Sarina Road
- ran a Renewable Energy Supply Chain Forum
- supported skills training and long-term workforce development.
Squadron Energy Head of Community and Regional Development Jessica Kite said the recognition reflected what communities gain when developers plan community investment together, rather than project by project.
“Putting communities first is core to how we do business at Squadron, and being a finalist in this award shows the approach delivers real local benefits,” Ms Kite said.
“When developers coordinate, consultation is more targeted and community investment goes further to make a real and lasting difference on the ground.”
Squadron Energy’s 450MW Clarke Creek Wind Farm Stage 1 is located on the land of the Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala peoples, about 150km north-west of Rockhampton. The 100 turbine renewable asset generates enough clean energy to power around 330,000 Queensland homes and avoids about 738,000 tonnes of emissions each year.