Renew Estate gets planning approval for 300MW Queensland solar farm

Australia-based renewable energy company Renew Estate has been granted planning approval to build the 300MW Rodds Bay Solar Farm, located roughly 50 kilometres south of Gladstone, near the town of Bororen, Queensland.

The project will power the equivalent of approximately 88,000 homes. Construction is expected to commence in late 2018 and the project will be fully operational in Q1 2020.

Renew Estate director Simon Currie said: “At its peak, a solar farm of this size requires about 300 workers on site. We will collaborate with local training organisations to ensure local job-seekers have the skills needed to construct and operate a solar farm, and we will prioritise the employment of locals in enduring roles once the project is operational."

Mark Hogan, managing director of Wirsol Energy, a major shareholder of Renew Estate, said: “We are committed to Queensland and have over 200MW in operation and construction already in the state. This is an exciting time for the solar industry in Australia and Rodds Bay will help us quickly reach our target of 1GW in Australia.“

Tags: queensland, australia, rodds bay solar farm, renew estate