Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its flagship fund Copenhagen Infrastructure V (CI V), has acquired the Gawara Baya hybrid wind and battery storage project in North Queensland, Australia, from renewable energy developer and operator Windlab.

The project comprises a 408 MW onshore wind farm with 68 turbines and a 104 MW battery energy storage system.

It is located on Gugu Badhun Country, southwest of Ingham in North Queensland.

CIP said the project has received all major approvals. CI V has made a final investment decision and reached financial close after securing an approximately AUD 1.7 billion (~$1.22 billion) financing facility from 10 banks.

Construction is scheduled to begin soon, and Gawara Baya is expected to be fully operational in 2030.

Gawara Baya has secured long-term energy offtake arrangements with Stanwell and SmartestEnergy. The project will also participate in the Australian government’s Capacity Investment Scheme.

Thomas Wibe Poulsen, Partner at CIP, said, “The acquisition of Gawara Baya is a unique opportunity for CIP to deploy significant near-term capital from our fifth flagship fund to bring the project into operation and deliver critical energy infrastructure for Australians. It demonstrates CIP’s ability to identify and secure assets that can deliver meaningful value for our investors.”

The project is expected to contribute more than AUD 200 million (~$143.3 million) to the regional Queensland economy through local employment, procurement, and supply chain participation. CIP also expects the project to create up to 500 direct and indirect jobs in regional Queensland.

According to Mercom’s recently released 1H 2026 Funding and M&A for Energy Storage report, project acquisition activity accelerated sharply during the first half of 2026, with approximately 14 GW of battery storage capacity changing hands in 63 transactions, compared with 6.1 GW in 31 transactions during the same period in 2025.

In July, Sonnedix, an independent solar power producer, announced the acquisition of a 260 MW battery storage portfolio in Tuscany, Italy, from Sphera Energy. The portfolio comprises two adjacent standalone battery storage projects.