Queensland’s first solar and battery project to be doubled in size

Singaporean renewables developer Vena Energy says it is kicking off construction of a 320 megawatt solar farm in Queensland’s Western Downs region, after signing a long-term power purchase agreement with state-owner gentailer, CleanCo.

The new solar farm adds to Vena’s Wandoan South Project, which will eventually consist of 650MW worth of solar and 450MW of battery storage. The first 100MW/150MWh stage of the battery has been in operation since August 2022, as Queensland’s first grid-scale battery.

Dubbed Wandoan South Solar 2, the new project also joins the 168MW Wandoan South Solar 1, which began commercial operation in 2024 underpinned by a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with global retail and streaming giant Amazon.

Vena says that once operational in mid-2027, Wandoan South Solar 2 will produce approximately 700GWh of clean energy a year, enough to power around 120,000 average Queensland households.   

Owen Sela, the company’s head of Australia, says the new project builds on Vena’s established “development clusters” in Australia, totalling 732MW green power and 600MWh battery storage capacity in operation, construction, or contracted across the country.

“Wandoan South Solar 2 will play a crucial role in Queensland’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, adding significant renewable generation capacity that will help power the state’s future while supporting Australia’s commitment to net zero by 2050,” Owen said.

“With this expansion, we are building on our foundations of open engagement with the [Indigenous] Iman People, resulting in co-designed cultural practices that respect their connection to Country.

“We are equally committed to creating economic opportunities for local businesses, ensuring the broader region actively participates in and benefits from the project’s success.”

For CleanCo, the PPA with Wandoan South 2 will boost the supply of renewables available to some of the state’s largest employers, supporting their decarbonisation goals.

“CleanCo is uniquely positioned as the state’s only pumped hydro operator to store the energy from this project during the day and deliver it to Queenslanders when it’s needed the most during early evening and overnight,” said CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe.

“We are backing an energy future that is affordable, reliable and sustainable, delivering long-term value to customers and communities across the state.”

Vena says the solar farm’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract has been awarded to GRS, who will oversee the installation of 450,000+ solar photovoltaic modules.

During peak construction, the workforce is expected to reach up to 400 people, with opportunities for local and First Nations communities.