Mega-complex boasting 2GW-plus of solar bags green endorsement in Australia

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
image credit: Image credit: Robyn Jay / Flickr

A colossal renewable venture stands one step nearer to development in Australia after clearing a key planning obstacle, setting the scene for construction to start later this decade.

Western Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has given its go-ahead to the so-called Asian Renewable Energy Hub, a scheme to deploy up to 15GW of solar and wind in the state to then power the mass-scale production of green hydrogen.

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 complex – the proposal of a consortium including the Macquarie Group, Intercontinental Energy, Vestas and CWP Energy Asia – would mix 2GW-plus of solar with up to 1,743 wind turbines at a vast site by the coast in the northwestern region of Pilbara, the EPA’s latest documents show.

Having assessed the potential impacts of the 662,400-hectare scheme, the EPA recommended the project be granted environmental approval provided it meets a number of conditions, including creating no-impact buffer zones and burying transmission lines to help preserve local biodiversity.

Even if finally authorised, the construction launch of the Asian Renewable Energy Hub is not expected to start until 2026. In 2018, when the project was described by its promoters as an 11GW venture, total investment needs were pegged at AU$22 billion (US$14 billion).

Another colossus for country hitting 17GW of PV

According to the EPA’s documents, the 2GW solar component will be rolled out in 37 batches, each boasting 55MW across 180-hectare sections. The complex is also proposing to build additions including overhead transmission lines, 37 substations and offshore subsea cables.

The consortium began development work in 2014, going on to secure project land through Western Australia’s Department of Lands. In July 2018, as Macquarie came on board as a sponsor and consortium partner, the project was granted Lead Agency Status by the state government.

The developers plan on earmarking 3GW of the complex’s power supply to the mines of Pilbara region, where miners were already starting to tap into solar. The bulk of the electricity will be, however, set aside for the production of green hydrogen for domestic and foreign use.

The Asian Renewable Energy Hub is one of a raft of mass-scale renewable ventures currently progressing through planning hoops in Australia. Over in the Northern Territory, authorities have endorsed a 10GW solar-plus-storage hybrid meant to export power to Singapore via subsea cables.

In Australia, the rise of ever larger ventures follows a sound year on the PV installation front, with cumulative systems growing nationwide from 11.3GW to 15.9GW last year. As recently noted by regulator AEMO, the country’s grid could take a 75% solar and wind share by 2025 if the appropriate reforms are enacted.

Read Next

July 17, 2025
Swedish solar developer OX2 has submitted plans for a 150MW solar-plus-storage project in Queensland to Australia’s EPBC Act.
July 17, 2025
Pilecom, a mechanical installer of utility-scale solar projects, has officially started work on European Energy’s 106MW Lancaster solar PV power plant in Victoria, Australia.
July 16, 2025
Planning uncertainty and policy instability regarding renewables in Queensland have seen it slip in investment attractiveness, with New South Wales now leading Australia.
July 16, 2025
The New South Wales government has announced AU$26.2 million in funding for several Australian solar PV and battery initiatives.
July 15, 2025
Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has announced plans to run four new Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tenders by the end of 2025.
July 15, 2025
Ingeteam has expanded its footprint in Australia by announcing it will supply the 243MWp Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage Project in New South Wales.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK