Acciona Energía, a subsidiary of Spanish utility Acciona, is gearing up to initiate construction on the Aldoga solar farm in Queensland.
The project, valued at A$500 million ($333.7 million), is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2024, with completion anticipated in 2025. This marks a pivotal development in the renewable energy landscape, contributing to the Queensland government’s ambitious renewable power targets.
The primary goal of the Aldoga solar farm is to harness the abundant solar resources in Queensland to generate clean and sustainable power. With a planned capacity of 380MW, the facility aims to supply electricity to approximately 185,000 households, making a substantial contribution to the region’s power needs. The project aligns with the Queensland government’s renewable energy targets, aiming for 50% renewable power by 2030 and an even more ambitious 70% by 2032.
The solar farm will be strategically located 20km north-west of Gladstone on the central Queensland coast, maximizing exposure to sunlight. Leveraging advanced solar photovoltaic technology, the Aldoga facility will convert sunlight into electricity efficiently. This technology ensures a reliable and consistent source of clean power, mitigating the dependence on traditional fossil fuels.
Once operational, the Aldoga solar farm is expected to have a dual impact—environmental and economic. The facility is projected to contribute to an annual carbon savings of 934,000 tonnes, significantly reducing the region’s carbon footprint. Moreover, the construction and operational phases will generate employment opportunities, creating 350 jobs during the 18-month construction period and sustaining 10 jobs once the facility is operational.
Acciona is collaborating with Economic Development Queensland (EDQ), the Queensland government’s land use planning and property development agency, to build the Aldoga solar farm. This collaboration underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing renewable energy projects. The utilization of EDQ’s land for the solar farm exemplifies the synergy between government initiatives and private sector expertise.
