Monthly Newsletter – July 2026
As we move into the second half of 2026, July’s focus has been project progress, industry connection and the value of collaboration. These moments highlight REP’s ongoing focus on informed development, strong partnerships and meaningful contribution to Australia’s clean energy future.
Capricornia Pumped Hydro Progresses to Next Stage in QIC Process
Capricornia Pumped Hydro has been confirmed as the recommended project to progress to the next stage of negotiations following QIC’s statewide assessment of pumped hydro opportunities.
The Queensland Government Budget announcement recognises the project’s technical merit, deliverability and importance to Queensland’s future energy system.
Located around 80 km west of Mackay, Capricornia Pumped Hydro would deliver 750 MW of dispatchable generation and 12 GWh of long-duration storage, providing more than 16 hours of backup energy to support reliability and peak demand.
The project is also expected to deliver significant regional benefits, including around 650 construction jobs, 65 ongoing roles, opportunities for local suppliers and service providers, and road upgrades improving connectivity between the Isaac Region and the Pioneer Valley.
With up to 80% of capital investment expected to remain in Queensland, the project represents a major opportunity to deliver critical energy infrastructure while supporting local jobs, businesses and communities.
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) in Wind Farm Development
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing technology that uses pulsed laser light to measure distances with high precision. In wind energy development, LiDAR systems are deployed during early-stage assessments to characterise wind conditions across a project site.
They provide detailed measurements of wind speed, direction, turbulence intensity, and vertical wind profiles at multiple heights, supporting turbine layout design and improving energy yield assessments.
LiDAR operates by emitting short pulses of near-infrared laser light into the atmosphere. These pulses are reflected by airborne particles, and the returned signal is analysed to determine wind characteristics based on the time delay and frequency shift of the backscattered light. Compared to traditional meteorological masts, LiDAR offers a flexible, non-intrusive, and rapidly deployable solution for wind resource measurement, particularly in complex terrain and offshore environments.
In mid-July, we demobilised a LiDAR at our Lake Dalrymple Wind Farm project after 12 months of wind data collection. This is an important step in building a detailed understanding of the site’s wind resource across a full year of seasonal conditions. Reliable wind data is essential to wind farm development, helping to confirm the strength and consistency of the wind, guide turbine layout and design, and improve confidence in future energy generation. The information collected will continue to support technical studies and decision-making as the project progresses.
Two Years of Collaboration in Fortitude Valley
July marks two years since we moved into our office in Fortitude Valley. In that time, the space has become much more than a workplace – it has become a hub for collaboration, connection and project development. We regularly welcome consultants and project partners we work closely with to work from our office, creating opportunities for real-time problem solving, knowledge sharing and stronger working relationships. Having people together in the same space helps build alignment, encourages open communication and supports more efficient, collaborative project outcomes.
Clean Energy Summit 2026
Luke McDonald (CEO), Sebastian Burgman (CFO) and Luke Keys (GM – Projects & Connections) attended the Australian Clean Energy Summit in July. Australia’s premier clean energy event brought together industry leaders, government decision-makers, investors, technical specialists and community advocates to discuss the future of the sector. The event provided valuable insight into the key issues shaping Australia’s energy transition, including coal retirement, investment in new generation and storage, grid readiness, decarbonisation and delivering meaningful benefits for regional communities. Attending events like this keeps us connected to the national clean energy conversation, strengthens relationships across the industry, and ensures we remain informed, visible and engaged as the sector continues to evolve.
Looking Ahead
July has been a month of connection, collaboration and continued project progress. REP remains focused on building strong partnerships, supporting informed decision-making and contributing meaningfully to Queensland’s renewable energy future.
If you’d like to learn more or get in touch with the team, we’d welcome the conversation.