ACCIONA Energía has completed construction at Aldoga Solar Farm near Gladstone in Queensland seven months ahead of schedule.
Over the next six months, 480MWp of clean electricity will start coming online as the project is gradually commissioned and connected to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
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ACCIONA Energía managing director Brett Wickham said, “Large-scale solar projects are one of the fastest and most affordable means of delivering new electricity into the NEM.
“We’ve delivered this milestone project safely and faster than expected. It’s a credit to the 350 men and women who have built it.”
The Aldoga Solar Farm exported its first 850kW of electricity into the NEM as part of its first steps in the commissioning process. Commissioning is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Queensland’s Stanwell has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ACCIONA Energía for 100% of the solar farm’s output.
“First energy production from the Aldoga Solar Farm marks an exciting milestone for Stanwell. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ACCIONA Energía on this project and exploring many other opportunities with ACCIONA across Queensland,” Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke said.
“Stanwell is building a diversified energy portfolio of thermal and renewable energy. Stanwell will offtake 100% of the output from the Aldoga Solar Farm. This energy will be sold into the spot market or retailed to our commercial and industrial customers, ensuring that they receive affordable, reliable and sustainable energy, now and into the future.”
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Construction on the $500 million solar farm began in April 2024, employing 350 workers and procuring up to $150 million in goods and services from local businesses and suppliers.
ACCIONA Energía also partnered with global solar equipment provider Nextracker to use tubing for solar panel mounts made from Australian steel at the Orrcon Steel facility in Northgate in Brisbane.
