Equis Energy secures approval for 1 GW Australian solar farm
Equis Energy has secured approval to begin constructing one of the largest solar farms in the world – a 1 GW installation in the Australian state of Queensland.
The Western Downs Regional Council has approved the plans submitted by Singapore-based renewable energy developer Equis Energy to build the AU$1.5 billion to $2 billion project.
Equis Energy chairman David Russell confirmed to pv magazine on Friday that the developer had been given the greenlight to build the Wandoan South Solar Projects (WSSP), stating: “The project will not only provide significant amounts of low-cost clean energy, but will also generate new jobs and training opportunities, with millions of dollar invested throughout local communities.
“The WSSP will have the ability to add battery storage when commercially feasible. This will allow energy to be stored and facilitate the generation of power into the evening,” added Russell.
The project is expected to generate up to 400 jobs during the construction phase, according to local Mayor Paul McVeigh.
Speaking to the Toowoomba Chronicle this morning on the occasion of the approval, McVeigh said: “It’s a AU$2 billion construction cost and of that we expect at least 50% of that to be invested in the local community.
“This 1,000 MW farm is definitely the largest in Australia that is approved at this stage, and potentially one of the largest in the world. It covers a lot of country. The ones we have approved to date have been up to 250 MW.”
