Construction on 380MW Aldoga Solar Farm to commence next year

ACCIONA Energia has announced that construction of the 380MW Aldoga Solar Farm is scheduled to commence in early 2024. 

The large-scale renewable energy project is located about 20 kilometres north west of Gladstone on the Central Queensland coast, within the Central Queensland Renewable Energy Zone. 

“Construction commencement by ACCIONA Energia of the Aldoga Solar Farm demonstrates that Queensland is ready to help the nation deliver the supercharged Capacity Investment Scheme announced by Minister Chris Bowen just last week,” Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said. 

The Aldoga Solar Farm project is facilitated by Economic Development Queensland, leasing land as part of the State Government’s commitment to boosting renewable energy supply as well as generating jobs and supporting economic growth. 

“This project combines two of my favourite things – energy and jobs. 

“This demonstrates the important role Gladstone plays in driving the renewable sector of Queensland. 

“The solar farm will increase renewable energy supply, generate jobs and support economic growth in Central Queensland for years to come,” Member for Gladstone and Regional Development and Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher said. 

The $500 million project will draw on the strengths of the region’s key industries such as agriculture, construction, minerals processing and manufacturing. 

This project also supports the Queensland Government’s $62 billion Energy and Jobs Plan that aims to transition the State to 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032. 

“Queensland is powering toward our ambitious target of 70% renewable energy by 2032, and projects like the Aldoga Solar Farm are major contributors to this growing success. 

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan sets a path to transform the power system over the next 15 years with over $60 billion of estimated capital projects,” Deputy Premier Steven Miles said. 

In addition, the Aldoga Solar Farm development is estimated to create up to 350 jobs during its construction and about 10 operational jobs. The project will also inject approximately $150 million back into the local economy by engaging with local companies and suppliers. 

“This project is ideally located near Gladstone so we can draw upon the city’s rich industrial and manufacturing history to build the project. 

“ACCIONA Energia have been working closely with the supply chain as part of our local content strategy which will source at least $150 million in work from local companies and suppliers around Gladstone and the Sunshine State to help build the project. 

“The Aldoga Solar Farm will be a catalyst for a vibrant hydrogen industry here in Gladstone and we’re proud to finally be getting construction underway,” ACCIONA Energia Managing Director Brett Wickham said. 

Just recently, ACCIONA Energia signed a Power Purchase Agreement with the publicly owned energy company Stanwell Corporation. Once the solar farm is up and running, it will supply 100 per cent of its output to Stanwell, which will then go towards the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project (CQ-H2). 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statement; ACCIONA Australia (1, 2); PV Magazine Australia; Renew Economy