Construction now underway on the $500m Aldoga Solar Farm near Gladstone in Queensland

Acciona Energia, Aldoga Solar Farm, queensland, renewables, sustainability,

April 15, 2024

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Queensland is moving towards a sustainable future as ACCIONA Energía begins construction on the $500m Aldoga Solar Farm project near Gladstone in Central Queensland.

• ACCIONA Energía building $500 million solar farm on the Central Queensland coast with the Queensland Government’s support.
• Aldoga Solar Farm to produce electricity to power the proposed Central Queensland Hydrogen Project.
• Project will procure $150 million in work from local companies, deliver up to 350 jobs during construction and help Queensland achieve renewable energy targets.

Queensland is powering towards a sustainable future as construction gets underway on a $500 million solar farm near Gladstone.

“I announced that my Government would lift Queensland’s ambition on climate action – and reduce our emission by 75% by 2035 – to strengthen our economy and create jobs, says Queensland Premier Steven Miles.

“Our target, along with the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, gives big business the confidence that the sunshine state is the best place to invest in renewables,” says Queensland Premier Steven Miles.

Located at Aldoga, about 20km northwest of Gladstone, the Aldoga Solar Farm will feature up to 820,000 solar modules with the capacity to produce 480 megawatts peak.

The project is strategically situated within the Gladstone State Development Area (SDA) on land owned by Economic Development Queensland (EDQ).

EDQ has signed a development lease with leading renewable energy company ACCIONA Energía as part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to increasing renewable energy supply, generating jobs and supporting economic growth.

“ACCIONA Energía is the largest 100 percent renewable company in the world,” says Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace.

“It’s exciting to see an industry leader investing in Queensland and using the latest technology in solar to harness this clean energy source and deliver benefits for Queensland and beyond, with CQ-H2 to export renewable hydrogen to Japan and Singapore,” says Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace.

“With a 480-megawatt peak capacity, the $500 million facility will avoid 930,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per annum,” says Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace.

“This project aligns with the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and is a great example of how we are powering towards our targets of 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032 and net zero emissions by 2050,” says Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace.

The Aldoga Solar Farm will offer $150 million in local procurement opportunities and deliver up to 350 jobs during construction and up to 10 ongoing full-time roles.

“With Queensland built components and 350 local tradespeople involved in construction and commissioning, the Aldoga solar farm truly will be a product of the Sunshine State,” says Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Minister Mick de Brenni.

“This renewable energy project is the first in Queensland to use locally manufactured torque tubing made with Australian BlueScope coil,” says Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Minister Mick de Brenni.

“Projects like the Aldoga Solar Farm are helping to build our nation’s energy independence, one panel at a time,” says Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Minister Mick de Brenni.

“As a cornerstone in the Energy and Jobs Plan, this landmark project will increase renewable energy supply, generate jobs and support economic growth in Central Queensland for years to come,” says Energy and Clean Economy Jobs Minister Mick de Brenni.

ACCIONA Energía’s community benefits program will also provide $120,000 in annual funding to local initiatives including scholarships with Central Queensland University, small grants and legacy projects.

Construction of the Aldoga Solar Farm is now underway, with the facility to be operational by mid-2026, and operate for 30 years.

100% of the electricity produced at the Aldoga Solar Farm will be supplied to Stanwell Corporation’s proposed Central Queensland Hydrogen project (CQ-H2) under a Power Purchase Agreement.

CQ-H2 is Queensland’s largest renewable hydrogen project, which aims to deliver renewable hydrogen through different carriers to Japan and Singapore, as well as supplying large domestic customers in Central Queensland.

“Projects like Aldoga will help transition our energy system while providing the employment, training and procurement opportunities regional communities are asking for so they can take advantage of this booming industry,” says ACCIONA Energía Managing Director Brett Wickham.

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, great partners in Stanwell and Economic Development Queensland and some of the best renewable resources in the country are why we want to keep building projects here,” says ACCIONA Energía Managing Director Brett Wickham.

Steel manufacturer Orrcon, that recently opened a production line facility in Northgate, will manufacturer Queensland steel to be used in the construction of the solar farm.

The manufacturer is poised to supply components for a number of large-scale solar projects to help with the renewable energy transition.  

Fast facts about Aldoga Solar Farm:

• $500 million project with $150 million in local procurement opportunities
• $120,000 per annum community benefits program
• Up to 350 jobs during construction
• Up to 10 full-time jobs once operational
• Up to 820,000 solar PV modules
• 480-megawatt peak capacity
• 934,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions avoided per annum

Construction for Aldoga Solar Farm in Gladstone to begin in early 2024

Source: © The State of Queensland 1997–2024

Image Source: © The State of Queensland 1997–2024

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