An Australian-first hybrid wind, solar and battery storage facility is under construction in north Queensland, part of a regional boom in renewable energy.

The 64-megawatt Kennedy Energy Park near Hughenden, 290 kilometres south-west of Townsville, will combine 12 wind turbines, 55,000 solar panels and 4 megawatt-hours of battery storage, to pump an average of 50MW into the power grid at any time.

Developer Windlab's construction manager Martin Vries said the complementary sources of power generation provided a blueprint for the future of electricity in the region.

"Hughenden is a unique area in the region where there is an abundance of sun during the day, with 330 days of sunshine," he said.

"In addition, there is a high amount of wind resource in the afternoon and in the night, when the solar farm dims and doesn't produce anything."

The 12 turbines will rise more than 200 metres from the ground when complete, making them the largest erected in Australia to date. ( ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach )

Build begins with latest technology

The 12-month construction period involves building roads, culverts and fences, and has now turned to the installation of the wind turbines.

The 67-metre long blades used in the wind farm represent the latest in technology, tested in wind tunnels to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

"Turbine technology is growing every year. If you look at older turbines they are fairly straight blades, they make a lot of noise," Mr Vries said.

"[Newer] turbines minimise turbulence behind the blade when it cuts through the wind and basically takes out the whoosh sound."

Providing local jobs

More than 30 workers from the Hughenden district are employed by the project and another 100 are from the wider region, with some specialised staff coming from Brisbane.

Flinders Shire Mayor Jane McNamara said the renewable energy hub status of Hughenden was exciting for the district, with future developments planned.

"Big Kennedy [Energy Park] is in the planning stage. It's going to be around 80 kilometres north of Hughenden. It's mainly wind turbines," she said.

"All the meals and accommodation are being provided here in the town, so it's been very busy."

Solar panel installation has provided a jobs boost for Hughenden, but ongoing employment at the farm will be limited to about five staff. ( ABC Rural: Tom Major )

The Kennedy Energy Park is the second power facility built in the district, after last year's construction of the Hughenden Solar Farm on the outskirts of town.

Cr McNamara said despite the temporary boost in employment, Hughenden still needed new industries to replace jobs lost from the closure of the Aurizon rail maintenance yards.

"The thing with renewables, it's very labour intensive when they're building it but not afterwards," she said.

"They don't need a lot of maintenance, so we're expecting probably five jobs between the two renewable energy parks — that's still five jobs that weren't here before."

Town revitalised

Hughenden supermarket owner Jane Charuba said she had noticed a positive effect on the township from the two projects.

"I think it's brought a lot of economic value and energy, for want of a better word. The whole town seems energised with extra people," she said.

"I think it's great and I'm just wondering what's going to happen when it's all done."

The energy park is a boost for the region, which is struggling after seven years of drought that have hit the cattle industry hard. ( ABC North Queensland: Kathleen Calderwood )

Ms Charuba said even taking into account a boost in winter tourist numbers, her business had been busier than at any time since the Aurizon yards closed in 2016.

Long-term, the business operator believes families moving permanently to the town would be the way forward, as well as capitalising on interest in the project from passing tourists.

"It will never make up for what Aurizon took away, but if we get a couple of these other [renewable] projects happening and more families come, then great."