Construction on a new large-scale solar farm near Gladstone in Queensland is set to begin later this year as a Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued to local transmission company, Powerlink, under its connection agreement with the project developer, Renew Estate. 

“We have enjoyed a close working relationship with Powerlink over the past 2 ½ years and are very happy to be moving into the next stage of this project. I would like to thank the entire Powerlink team for working so collaboratively with us to realise the project, even amidst the exceptional challenges we have all faced over the past few weeks,” Renew Estate Director Tom Harrison said. 

The 300MWdc Rodds Bay solar farm is set to become one of Australia’s largest solar projects. It is going to be connected to a 275kV transmission network located south of Gladstone – between Bororen and Rodds Bay. 

This project will also include an 82MW / 164MWh battery storage on site, which was also granted planning approval by the Gladstone Regional Council. 

“We continue to passionately believe that this project will deliver significant and impactful benefits not just to Gladstone, but also the wider regional economy in Queensland across 2020 and 2021. Our vision for this solar farm has always been to create positive and enduring social and economic legacies, including the creation of hundreds of jobs during construction. 

“Renew Estate’s commitment since the beginning of this project to use local service providers, contractors and industry remains steadfast. We currently have nearly 400 businesses and individuals on our database who have registered an interest in the construction or operational phase of the solar farm. This project can play a part in transitioning the local skilled workforce and build resiliency in this critical region for the Queensland economy,” Renew Estate Director Simon Currie said. 

The large-scale renewable energy project has passed the necessary tests that relate to system strength and generator performance standards as well as signed a connection agreement with Powerlink earlier this year. 

Major construction works on the Rodds Bay solar farm – located about 50 kilometres south of Gladstone – is anticipated to begin in Q3/Q4 2020. 

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Source: Renew Estate; Rodds Bay Solar Farm; Renew Economy