Another solar farm in pipeline for Queensland, as 120MW project approved

Another large-scale solar project looks set to go ahead on Queensland’s Fraser Coast, after plans to build a 120MW solar farm at Munna Creek got the nod from the local council last week.

The Fraser Coast Chronicle reports that plans for a 400.67ha solar farm made up of around 500,000 solar panels at Munna Creek, near Bauple, was approved by the Fraser Coast council on Thursday.

The $200 million project is being developed by local company Renewable Energy System Technologies over three stages, and will employ around 300 people during construction, the paper said.

Munna Creek stands to be the fourth large-scale farm to be developed on the Fraser Coast, including the 98MW Susan River Solar Farm and 75MW Childers Solar Farm, both of which are being developed by ESCO Pacific, after reaching financial close just last week.

Brisbane-based REST says it has purchased land for the Munna Creek solar farm and is currently in negotiations with potential EPC partners.

REST technical advisor Satish Choy said the 120MW solar farm had the potential to power about 30,000 Queensland homes.

“There are good incentives for developing renewable energy, particularly in Queensland,” Dr Choy said.

“For the Fraser Coast, there’s sufficient solar energy there, so this is one of the desired sites.

“It will bring jobs and more businesses to the region.”

Munna Creek would connect to the Ergon network, with planning for grid connection said to be “progressing well and [is] on track”.

Fraser Coast mayor Chris Loft said project offered a great opportunity to create jobs, particularly in the research and development of solar technology as well as the manufacture, installation and maintenance of solar farms.

“It is a huge project which will gain international attention,” he said.

A community forum on the project will be held around mid-February.