Case Study

Boulder Creek Wind Farm

Client

Aula Energy

Year

2024

Project Value

~$750m

Key Services

Driving Renewable Energy Development in Central Queensland

A large-scale renewable energy project

Boulder Creek Wind Farm is a large-scale renewable energy project, set to deliver up to 372 MW of onshore wind power through the construction of approximately 60 wind turbines. Located 40 km southwest of Rockhampton and 5 km west of Mount Morgan, this project, developed by Aula Energy, plays a critical role in supporting Queensland’s transition to clean energy. To facilitate its successful progression from development into delivery, E3 Advisory provided expert leadership and strategic guidance over a four-month period, seconding a Project Director to oversee key project management activities.

The Project Development Director played a crucial role in preparing the project for execution, conducting a readiness review to assess the capability of the proposed Construction Asset Management Team. E3 Advisory also led stakeholder engagement efforts by assisting Aula’s leadership team in preparing documentation for their joint venture partner, CS Energy. Further, the team performed schedule optimisation using Acumen Fuse software, ensuring constructability and verifying the project’s integrated schedule. Landholder obligations under lease agreements were also streamlined through a structured process led by E3 Advisory, minimising potential delays and ensuring compliance before mobilisation.

Scenic,Outdoor,Panoramic,Images,From,Central,Queensland,Australia

Strategic Execution and Delivering Measurable Outcomes

E3 Advisory’s involvement was instrumental in ensuring project milestones were met, with the successful passage of the Gate 3 hold point and the achievement of a Financial Investment Decision. The team facilitated the awarding of key contracts, securing agreements for Turbine Supply and Installation (TSI), Balance of Plant (BOP), Construction Management, and Grid Connection. These strategic procurement efforts provided commercial certainty, ensuring the project remained on track for execution.

Regulatory approvals were also a key focus, with E3 Advisory supporting Aula Energy in obtaining planning modifications from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE). Additionally, the team led the development and implementation of a 100-day plan to guide post-Notice to Proceed (NTP) activities, ensuring a structured approach to project mobilisation. Further collaboration with the BOP contractor resulted in an optimised program that reduced the overall project duration by two months, enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Through expert project leadership, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, E3 Advisory successfully positioned the Boulder Creek Wind Farm for success, reinforcing its role in Australia’s renewable energy future.

After project commencement, E3 Advisory provided comprehensive risk assessment services, including the review and enhancement of the existing project risk register, facilitation of workshops with subject matter experts to identify and assess new risks, and the application of Quantitative Cost and Schedule Risk Analysis (QCSRA) to evaluate potential cost and time impacts. The result was a set of robust, accurate, and timely insights from Quantitative Risk Assessments (QRA), both for contingency planning and ongoing risk management throughout the project’s delivery phase.

Panoramic,Views,Of,The,Wind,Farm,Produces,Electricity,From,Wind

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Mark Stephens Principal

Mark is a civil engineer and project management professional with over 35 years experience gained world-wide. He brings leadership, project management and construction expertise to the development and delivery of major infrastructure projects and programs. Since joining E3 Advisory in October 2018 Mark has undergone two secondments into Transport NSW projects to assist in bringing both the Sydney Gateway Project and Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport Surface Civil and Alignment (SCAW) Project to successful award. Mark enjoys the challenges of complex projects, developing and working in high performing teams, but most of all leaving legacy infrastructure to improve the quality of life for everyday people.

On the weekend, you’ll either find Mark sailing or renovating, depending on the winds.

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Bachelor of Science (Civil Engineering)(Hons)
Chartered Engineer (CEng)
Project Management Professional (PMP)

Mark is a civil engineer and project management professional with over 35 years experience gained world-wide. Prior to joining E3 Advisory Mark spent equal durations working for Tier 1 Contractors in the UK, Engineering and Project Management Consultants (traversing four different continents) followed by a move Client-side to a national electricity generator and retailer here in Australia. He brings leadership, project management and construction expertise to the development and delivery of major infrastructure projects and programs.

Mark’s combination of practical process development and disciplined project control focus, combined with his strong leadership and excellent communication, enables him to develop pragmatic and flexible approaches to achieving desired outcomes. Since joining E3 Advisory in October 2018 Mark has undergone two secondments into Transport NSW projects to assist in bringing both the Sydney Gateway Project and Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport Surface Civil and Alignment (SCAW) Project to successful award.

Mark enjoys the challenges of complex projects, developing and working in high performing teams, but most of all leaving legacy infrastructure to improve the quality of life for everyday people. Market sector experience includes Energy, Transport, Water and Building where he has worked on the following sub-sectors: roads; rail; airports; water and wastewater; tunnelling; power generation including renewables (wind, solar, hydro and geothermal); industrial buildings; coastal defence.

On the weekend, you’ll either find Mark sailing or renovating, depending on the winds.