Lilyvale Solar Farm to bring jobs and renewable energy to regional Queensland

Another 100 megawatt large-scale Queensland solar project has reached financial close and will soon begin construction near Emerald, creating 200 construction jobs for the region.

Energy Minister Mark Bailey said Fotowatio Renewable Ventures’ Lilyvale Solar Farm is one of many renewable energy projects which will soon help power Queensland.

“This important milestone means that FRV now has the much-needed credit approval to secure funding and proceed with construction of its Lilyvale solar farm, located 50km north-east of Emerald in the Queensland Central Highlands region,” Mr Bailey said.

“The financial close for Lilyvale Solar Farm follow’s FRVs 100 megawatt Clare Solar Farm in North Queensland, and follows the company securing a power purchase agreement for the Lilyvale project with Ergon Energy in January this year.

“I congratulate FRV for reaching yet another Queensland milestone, this is yet another project which will bring Queensland closer to reaching the Government’s 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.

“Construction of the Lilyvale Solar Farm is set to begin shortly, with the farm expected to be grid-connected and fully operational by late 2018. Once operational, the solar farm will generate enough electricity to power around 45,000 Queensland homes.

“It is one of 20 renewable projects totalling 1781 megawatts committed to or under construction in Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to have kick-started the renewable energy boom in Queensland and this is just another page in that exciting story.”

The pipeline of Queensland renewable projects includes:

Clare Solar Farm (100 MW), Collinsville Power Station (42 MW), Hamilton Solar Farm (57.5 MW), Hughenden Solar Farm (14.2 MW), Kidston solar project (50 MW), Lakeland Solar Farm (10.8 MW), Mount Emerald Wind Farm (180 MW), Normanton Solar Farm (5MW), Ross River Solar Farm (135 MW), Sun Metals Solar Farm (125 MW), Tablelands Sugar Mill stage 2 (24 MW), Whitsunday Solar Farm (57.5 MW), Daydream Solar Farm (150MW), Hayman Solar Farm (50MW), Lilyvale Solar Farm (100MW), Coopers Gap Wind Farm (460MW), Darling Downs Solar Farm (110MW), Longreach Solar Farm (15MW), Oakey Solar Farm (25MW), and Emerald Solar Farm (70MW).

Mr Bailey said FRVs financial close was more proof that the Queensland Government had created the right renewable investment climate.

“Under the recently launched Powering Queensland Plan the Government re-affirmed its commitment to a 50 percent renewable target by 2030,” Mr Bailey said.

“I thank FRVs continued commitment to our state, and I congratulate it for reaching yet another major milestone.

“We’re turning the sunshine state into the solar state!”

Powerlink will undertake works to connect what will be Central Queensland’s largest solar farm to its transmission network.

Powerlink Chief Executive Merryn York said the transmission network played an important role in facilitating the growth of renewable energy in Queensland, helping to deliver a lower carbon future.

“Powerlink currently has 11 new large-scale generators committed to connect to the Queensland transmission network, representing more than 1,600 MW of solar and wind generation,” Ms York said.

“We look forward to the opportunity to work on FRV’s second solar farm connection in Queensland.

“Powerlink will construct a new substation and build a short transmission line connection as part of the connection works.” 

ENDS

Media contact, Dominic Geiger 0447355565