New solar farm powers up in coal and gas centre after being completed seven months early

Spanish renewable energy company Acciona Energía has completed construction of the 380MW Aldoga solar farm near Gladstone in Queensland, seven months ahead of schedule.

Construction of the solar project got underway nearly a year ago in the Queensland coal centre, and will power up over the next six months with commissioning expected to be completed by year’s end.

Acciona said on Tuesday that the solar farm has already exported its first 850 kW burst of electricity into Australia’s main grid, the National Electricity Market (NEM), as part of the first steps in its commissioning process.

Once fully operational, electricity generated from Aldoga will be purchased by Stanwell, a Queensland government-owned electricity generator – and also one of Australia’s largest emitters of greenhouse gasses.

“First energy production from the Aldoga Solar Farm marks an exciting milestone for Stanwell,” said Michael O’Rourke, CEO of Stanwell.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Acciona Energía on this project and exploring many other opportunities with Acciona across Queensland.

“Stanwell is building a diversified energy portfolio of thermal and renewable energy. Stanwell will offtake 100 per cent of the output from the Aldoga Solar Farm.

“This energy will be sold into the spot market or retailed to our commercial and industrial customers, ensuring that they receive affordable, reliable and sustainable energy, now and into the future.”

Stanwell issued a call for renewable energy projects back in early 2021 and has since acquired or entered into agreements with over a dozen wind, solar, and battery projects across Queensland.

“Large scale solar projects are one of the fastest and most affordable means of delivering new electricity into the NEM,” said Brett Wickham, Acciona Energía managing director.

“We’ve delivered this milestone project safely and faster than expected. It’s a credit to the 350 men and women who have built it.”

Acciona Energía also partnered with global solar equipment supplier Nextracker to ensure the use of tubing for solar panel mounts that is made from Australian steel at the Orrcon Steel facility in Northgate, near Brisbane.

“We’re incredibly proud to be one of the foundation customers for Nextracker and Orrcon as they work to establish a long-term local steel and manufacturing supply chain for solar farms,” added Wickham.