“Turning point:” First big solar farm opened in heart of coal-rich shire in Queensland

Greek-based industrial and energy group Mytilineos Energy and Metals has formally opened the 110MW (dc) Moura solar farm in Queensland, part of its growing portfolio of solar assets in Australia.

The Moura solar farm – which is rated at 82MW (ac) started production late last year, and has been working through the various “hold points” that form part of the sometimes lengthy commissioning process in Australia.

The formal ceremony was held on June 20 for the facility, built in the Banana Shire north of Brisbane on the traditional lands of the Gangaalu Nation, has a long term power purchase deal with the state owned generation company CS Energy.

Mytilineos says Moura is the first of its Queensland projects to commence operation, with a further two projects either in construction and about to commence construction.

One of those projects, the 53MW Kingaroy solar projects holds a PPA with Smartest Energy, an electricity retailer owned by Japanese investment company Marubeni.

“It’s a fact that the cheapest form of electricity generation is large-scale solar, so it’s terrific to see the Moura Solar Farm generating another 82 MW (ac) of cheap, clean energy,” state energy minister Mick de Brenni said in a statement.

“More megawatts equals further downward pressure on power prices and greater reliability, so it’s fantastic to see this project adding to the Queensland SuperGrid.”

It is the first solar project to be opened in the Banana shire, with the town of Moura largely dependent until now on the coal industry.

“Today marks a turning point in our journey to renewables,” said Banana Shire mayor Nev Ferrier.

“While our rich coal reserves have long contributed to our economy, we recognise the need to embrace a balanced and sustainable approach to energy generation as we strive towards the government’s zero-emission targets.

“The Moura Solar Farm showcases our commitment to large-scale renewable energy generation and positions us as pioneers in sustainable development.”

Mytilineos entered the Australian market in 2019 and has so far invested $500 million in a portfolio of six sites in NSW and Queensland and a portfolio of 376MW. These include the 76MW Wyalong solar project in NSW.

Its global development portfolio stands at more than 12.6 GW as part of a strategy to become an integrated energy company.