Telstra announces agreement for new solar farm in Isis River

A new solar farm between Horton and Isis River is expected to generate 100 construction jobs and power 30,000 homes.

A new $130m solar farm near Childers will generate enough renewable energy to power about 30,000 homes.

A new $130m solar farm planned for the Bundaberg region will generate enough renewable energy to power about 30,000 homes.

The complex of about 146,000 solar panels will be constructed by Global Power Generation, a local arm of Spanish firm Naturgy Energy Group, on land located off the Bruce Highway between Horton and Isis River.

GPG has formed a Power Purchase Agreement with Telstra to supply up to 153 GWh per annum of renewable energy to the grid, which the telco said is enough energy to power about 30,000 homes.

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The total investment value of the project is $130 million.

The new solar farm will be located between Lambs Rd and Buxton River Rd in Isis River.

A Telstra spokesperson said $130 million had been invested in the project which was expected to create more than 100 construction jobs over 12-18 months, with the GPG website giving an expected date of completion of September 2025.

Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said the agreement means the company has met one of its major climate goals in enabling renewable energy generation equivalent to 100 per cent of its consumption by 2025, on the back of achieving a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.

To date, the telco has supported more than $1.2 billion worth of renewable energy projects in Queensland, Victoria and NSW.

“We’re committed to playing our part in building a more sustainable future and providing cleaner energy for Australian homes,” Ms Brady said.

“We also have a significant focus on reducing our own emissions and working with our customers, business partners and suppliers to support their emissions reduction efforts.”

Other completed renewable energy projects contracted by Telstra include the Emerald Solar Park in Qld and Murra Warra Wind Farm in Victoria, with agreements signed for projects at the Crookwell Wind Farm (NSW), MacIntyre Wind Farm (Qld) and Munna Creek Solar Farm (Qld).

Other completed renewable energy projects contracted by Telstra include the Emerald Solar Park in Qld.

ALP Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said the announcement of the project was indicative of the state government’s investment in the region.

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The new solar farm announcement follows the final approval granted to a $350 million wind farm in Biggenden, with construction by Greenleaf Renewables expected to begin in 2024.