Plibersek approves new 600MW solar farm in central Queensland

Federal environment and water minister Tanya Plibersek has announced approval for the Smoky Creek solar farm, a 600MW project – and possibly larger – that is being developed by Edify Energy in central Queensland.

The Smoky Creek solar farm, located about 75km south of Rockhampton and 40km north of Biloela, is expected to generate up to 1.19 million megawatt hours of electricity a year, the equivalent to the power needs of more than 200,000 homes.

It will likely include a battery storage component – not yet specified – and will connect into the transmission network between Calvale and Stanwell.

“Australia can be a renewable energy superpower, and projects like this help us get there,” Plibersek said in a statement.

The statement also took aim at the Coalition for its energy infighting, and the Greens, for rejecting the Rudd-era Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in 2009. There was no mention of the subsequent carbon price introduced by Labor and the Greens and later scuppered by the Tony Abbot-led Coalition.

“We know renewable energy is cheaper, cleaner and crucial to helping us cut emissions and reach our goal of net zero by 2050,” Plibersek said.

“I’m proud to have already doubled the rate of renewable energy approvals, with a record number of projects in the pipeline. We’re making clear to industry that the decade of stalling and denial when it comes to the opportunities of renewables is over.”

Plibersek has been criticised by the Greens for approving four coal projects this year – the Gregory Crinum Coal Mine in the Bowen Basin, and the Isaac River, Star and Ensham coal mines.