Major milestone reached for Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub

The Western Downs is another step closer to becoming Australia’s solar power capital as the $600 million solar farm under construction near Chinchilla reaches a major milestone. DETAILS:

Neoen’s $600 million Western Downs Green Power Hub has reached a major milestone with connection to the electricity grid now complete.

Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni said the solar farm, which is under construction near Chinchilla, is supporting more than 450 jobs and will generate 400MW of solar energy.

“Powerlink’s completion of connection works marks a significant milestone for the project and continues progress towards achieving the Government’s 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target by 2030,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Once complete, this solar farm will generate enough electricity for more than 230,000 Queensland homes – equivalent to powering a city four times the size of Toowoomba.

“This is further proof of Queensland’s credentials as a renewables and hydrogen superpower, with cleaner, cheaper energy delivering Queensland’s plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, driving new manufacturing jobs and sustaining existing industry.”

The Western Downs Green Power Hub which is set to be Australia's biggest solar farm, generating enough energy to power 235,000 Queensland homes. Pic: Neoen

Mr de Brenni said the “record-breaking project” is backed by government-owned clean energy company CleanCo, which has committed to purchasing 320MW of the solar power produced.

“An economic assessment by Aurecon estimates the project will generate more than $850 million in overall economic activity for Queensland, with 25 per cent expected to be spent in the Western Downs region, helping communities affected by drought and the impacts of COVID-19,” he said.

It’s estimated to produce a $32 million a year windfall to the Queensland economy, at least 90 per cent of which is expected to directly benefit the Western Downs region.

Powerlink Chief Executive Paul Simshauser said grid connection works, which supported 28 jobs, involved building six kilometres of new transmission line and connection works at Powerlink’s existing Western Downs Substation.

“This newly-built transmission line feeds into Neoen’s Hopeland Substation, which has also now been energised to help transport the renewable energy generated at the solar farm to the National Electricity Market,” Mr Simshauser said.

“Following our project team’s commitment to achieving on-ground works safely and efficiently, we are proud to mark completion of our construction activities.

“We look forward to working with Neoen to undertake final testing and commissioning in coming months as solar farm development continues to progress.”

The ongoing economic benefit is estimated at around $32 million per year for the Queensland economy, 90 per cent of which is expected to directly benefit the Western Downs region. Pic: Neoen

CleanCo Queensland chair Jacqui Walters said the Western Downs Green Power Hub would add significant renewable energy capacity for Queensland.

“The 320MW of solar energy we’ve secured from this project joins CleanCo’s unique portfolio of wind, hydro and gas generation and enables us to offer reliable, low emissions energy at a competitive price for our customers,” she said.

“We have a mandate to bring 1,400MW of new renewable energy online by 2025 and through projects like the Western Downs Green Power Hub we will do this while supporting growth and jobs in regional Queensland.”

Neoen Australia’s Managing Director Louis de Sambucy said the team remains mobilised towards finalising construction in coming months.

The Western Downs Green Power Hub will produce more than 1,080 GWh per year, the equivalent to avoiding 864,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Originally published as Major milestone reached for Neoen’s Western Downs Green Power Hub