Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has visited Australia’s largest solar farm, located in Queensland’s Western Downs region, to mark the completion of the massive project.
The 400MW Western Downs Green Power Hub, which has over one million solar panels in total, can power 235,000 households in Queensland and is linked to the Queensland SuperGrid via a new 275kV line constructed by Powerlink
The Palaszczuk Government’s publicly owned CleanCo Queensland, which is close to Chinchilla, has a power purchase agreement in place with the property’s owners Neoen for 80 per cent of the power produced there.
“Queensland is leading the charge with renewable power so it’s no surprise that the sunshine state is now home to the largest solar farm in the country,” remarked Premier Palaszczuk.
Premier Palaszczuk reaffirmed that Queensland homes would be powered by sustainable energy from solar farms like this one through the SuperGrid.
According to the government, when the panel installation is finished, the project’s final testing and commissioning phase can start to bring it up to speed.
Furthermore, the project’s construction has also significantly boosted the regional economies of Queensland, generating an estimated $800 million in economic activity.
The solar farm is claimed to be another significant investment in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan’s goal of achieving 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said Queensland is developing the necessary infrastructure, increasing the production of clean, green energy and creating more jobs.
“We are blazing a trail when it comes to green energy and the capacity this solar farm will be able to produce is a testament to the Palaszczuk Government’s vision for Queensland,” the deputy premier said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister Lance McCallum said Coles, BHP, and Westfield shopping centers are just a few of CleanCo’s largest clients who are already receiving power from renewable sources.
“This is our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan in action, delivering more jobs in more industries, affordable power, lower emissions, and stronger economic growth,” McCallum said.
By 2025, CleanCo pledges to introduce 1,400MW of brand-new renewable energy to the market.
