European Energy commissions first Australian solar PV plant

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
European Energy has around 5GW of renewable energy developments in its Australia pipeline. Image: European Energy.

Danish developer European Energy has commissioned its first solar PV power plant in Australia, a 58MW site situated in Victoria.

The Mokoan solar PV plant is located in the Hume region of Victoria and covers 94 hectares of land that was previously used for grazing purposes. European Energy acquired the project in December 2022 from Lightsource bp, whose parent company, oil and gas giant bp, is looking to sell a stake in the developer as it looks to roll back its renewable investments.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Construction on the solar PV plant started in the first half of 2024, and now that it is finished, the project is capable of supplying around 113GWh of electricity annually. The plant features bifacial solar PV modules and is currently on track to be fully operational in June 2025.

A Final Investment Decision (FID) in the project was achieved in November 2024. The debt was provided by the NORD/LB Singapore Branch as a loan facility expected to comply with the Loan Market Association’s Green Loan Principles.

Catriona McLeod, vice-president and head of Australia at European Energy, believes the deal is an important milestone for the company, which established an office in Australia two years ago.

“This is a tremendous achievement for our entire Australian team, and I am proud that we have demonstrated our ability to execute projects like this efficiently and effectively,” McLeod said.

As part of its commitment to sustainable growth, European Energy signed an agreement with First Nations Bailai Gurang Gooreng Gooreng Taribelang Bunda People Development Corporation in 2024 to facilitate the responsible development of renewable energy projects on their land.

European Energy pursues 1.3GWp solar PV plant in Queensland

It is worth noting that European Energy is seeking federal government approval to pursue a 1.3GWp (1.1GWac) solar PV plant via the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

Within the Gladstone Regional Council, the Upper Calliope Solar Farm would be located in Mount Alma, Australia. It would connect to the National Electricity Market (NEM) via a proposed Powerlink substation adjacent to the project site.

Construction on the 2,700-hectare solar farm is targeted to commence in 2025-26 and be completed by 2028 at the latest. It is expected to contribute 5% of Queensland’s electricity and have a significant economic impact.

European Energy revealed in January 2024 that mining giant Rio Tinto signed the “biggest solar corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) in Australia”, with the mining firm committed to purchasing all electricity from the plant for 25 years.

Read Next

August 8, 2025
This week several solar developers have raised funds for projects around the world, including BRUC in Europe, Greenalia in the US, Qair in Mauritius and CREC in Philippines.
August 8, 2025
German renewable energy developer ib vogt has officially broken ground on a 99MWp solar PV power plant in South Cotabato, the Philippines.
August 7, 2025
US-based floating solar (FPV) developer D3Energy is constructing a 6MW floating solar system in Monroeville – a village in Huron County, Ohio. 
August 7, 2025
Infinity Power has signed two concession agreements with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire for PV projects with a total capacity of 80MWac.
Premium
August 7, 2025
July 2025, the peak of the Australian winter season, saw generation from utility-scale and rooftop solar increase by 12.78% year-on-year in the National Electricity Market (NEM).
August 7, 2025
Despite severe flooding in the Waiotahe Valley in New Zealand, Lodestone Energy has confirmed that its 42MW Te Herenga o Te Rā solar PV power plant has continued operations.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines