Powerlink has completed a major project, connecting Columboola Solar Farm in Queensland to the transmission network in Western Downs – a newly energised powerline connecting the renewable project to the grid.
The works included the construction of 2kms of transmission line and works at the existing Columboola Substation.
Being built between Chinchilla and Miles on a 1,009 acre site housing 417,000 PV modules, the 162MW Columboola Solar Farm is expected to power the equivalent of 100,000 households or around six per cent of homes across the state.
The project is also backed by CS Energy, who will buy 100 per cent of the output of the solar farm and on-sell it to its large commercial and industrial retail customers.
Powerlink Chief Executive, Paul Simshauser, said the grid connection activities would help the renewable energy generated at the Columboola Solar Farm be delivered to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
“After many months of dedicated on-ground work, our project team has been able to bring construction activities to a close – safely, on-time and on-budget,” Mr Simshauser said.
“The project was technically complex and required meticulous planning, with the new stretch of transmission line crossing directly under an existing 275kV line.
“We will complete final testing and commissioning works in the coming months as construction activities at the solar farm progress.”
CS Energy CEO, Andrew Bills, congratulated Powerlink and CSF Pty Ltd on the transmission works milestone.
“The Columboola Solar Farm is the largest renewable energy offtake in CS Energy’s portfolio and we are excited to see the project reach this stage,” Mr Bills said.
“CS Energy continues to diversify our portfolio with these kinds of offtakes, which enable us to offer renewable energy to our customers and support Queensland’s 50 per cent renewables target by 2030.”
