Stanwell Corporation has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ACCIONA for 100 per cent of the output of its planned Aldoga Solar Farm for 15 years, for a total of 380MW.
The Aldoga Solar Farm is strategically situated within the Gladstone State Development Area (SDA), which was established by the Coordinator General, and on land developed by the Queensland Government’s Economic Development Queensland (EDQ).
The solar farm is a significant milestone in the Queensland Government’s commitment to renewable energy targets, playing a pivotal role in harnessing clean and sustainable power sources to achieve the region’s renewable energy goals.
The Aldoga Solar Farm is just one facet of Queensland’s growing network of clean energy hubs.
These hubs, located within Queensland’s SDAs, have been crafted to provide an optimal environment for businesses to establish and flourish within the realm of clean energy.
These hubs not only ensure seamless integration and operation for new-generation clean energy businesses but also come with comprehensive and continuous support from EDQ.
Stanwell has said that it plans to supply output from the Aldoga Solar Farm PPA to the proposed Central Queensland Hydrogen (CQ-H2) Project. The Aldoga Solar Farm will be located adjacent to the proposed hydrogen production facility site for the CQ-H2 Project.
The CQ-H2 Project is undertaking a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study, with a commitment of $117 million from government and consortium partners. The FEED study represents the largest investment in an Australian renewable hydrogen project of its kind to date. The CQ-H2 Project commercial operations are planned to commence from 2028.
Queensland Minister for Energy, Public Works and Procurement, Mick de Brenni, said that in Central Queensland, the CQ-H2 project is one step closer to unlocking the great potential of Queensland’s renewable energy resources.
“As Queensland’s – in fact, Australia’s – largest renewable hydrogen project progressed to this stage, CQ-H2 will deliver Queensland-made green hydrogen to Japan, Singapore and consumers across Australia,” Mr de Brenni said.
“This deal today is another massive step forward for jobs, cleaner energy, more exports and cheaper power.”
Stanwell CEO, Michael O’Rourke, said that Stanwell has set out an ambitious strategy for what it will achieve as a business between 2023 and 2035 and that a key component of that strategy is to drive the development of Queensland’s hydrogen industry.
“Our agreement with ACCIONA to secure the output of the Aldoga Solar Farm is a key milestone for us, as the Central Queensland Hydrogen Project undertakes its Front End Engineering Design Study and progresses to Final Investment Decision,” Mr O’Rourke said.
ACCIONA Energía Managing Director, Brett Wickham, said that Queensland is one of ACCIONA Energia’s preferred destinations for investment.
“In the global competition for energy projects Queensland stands tall with a highly skilled workforce, good regulatory processes and held together by a well thought out Energy and Jobs Plan,” Mr Wickham said.
“Queensland’s energy transition is well underway. With 100 per cent of the power from ACCIONA Energia’s Aldoga Solar Farm supplied to Stanwell we’re helping to reduce power prices and carbon emissions across the sunshine state.”
Featured image: A visualisation of the Aldoga Solar Farm. Image credit: ACCIONA Energia.
