Lightsource bp starts building 490MW of solar projects in Australia

By Tom Kenning
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
PPAs for two PV projects have been signed with French utility ENGIE, Australian-based multinational corporation Orica and food giant Mars Australia. Image: Lightsource bp

Lightsource bp has started construction on its 400MW Wellington North and 90MW Wunghnu solar farms in New South Wales and Victoria, respectively.

Having announced today that it will reach financial close on the two projects later this year, with completion expected in 2024, the London-headquartered company looks set to become one of the largest solar developers and owners in Australia.

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

The firm, which entered the Australian market four years ago, has signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the two PV projects with French utility ENGIE, Australian-based multinational corporation Orica and food giant Mars Australia. For construction, Lightsource bp has contracted Spain-based EPC firm Gransolar.

To date, Lightsource bp has 1GW of projects in operation and under construction across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. This includes the 107MW West Wyalong and 214MW Woolooga Solar Farms, which are due to be completed by the end of 2022 as well as the 200MW Wellington Solar Farm, which is already operational.

“We have been able to deliver our projects managing major disruptions, including commodity price increases, escalating costs, supply chain disruptions, and COVID-19,” said Adam Pegg, managing director at Lightsource bp Australia and New Zealand. “Lightsource bp has been able to navigate and deliver high quality projects, demonstrating the strength and resilience of our people and business.

“The outlook for solar in Australia and the region is incredibly strong, with increasing political support, greater investor certainty, and capital looking to participate in the sector.”

The company is also exploring hybrid projects in Australia that would combine solar with battery storage, wind power or green hydrogen production, Pegg noted. It also has more than 4GW of operational and planned projects across Australia and New Zealand.

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