Origin Energy signs PPA for FRV’s 100MW solar plant in Queensland

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Origin now also has the option to develop a further 35MW of capacity at the Clare Solar Farm. Credit: FRV

Integrated power firm and utility Origin Energy has signed a 13-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with solar developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) to offtake electricity from the planned 100MW Clare Solar Farm in north Queensland.

FRV will commence construction on the 300-hectare site, located near Ayr in northern Queensland, later in 2016, with operations expected to commence in 2017. The site is currently used for sugarcane farming.

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

Origin now also has the option to develop a further 35MW of capacity at the site.

This latest PPA, which runs up to December 2030, follows Origin Energy’s signing of a 15-year PPA with FRV for the solar power generated by the 56MW Moree Solar Farm in northern New South Wales in March.

Origin Energy Markets chief executive Frank Calabria said: “The cost of solar is falling rapidly compared to other renewable resources. Now is the ideal time to invest in solar and we have been actively looking for opportunities to diversify and add more renewable energy to our portfolio.”

Calabria said the plant is in an optimum location, close to transmission infrastructure and claimed that it will generate more solar energy than any other Australian project by using single-axis tracking technology. Australia's largest commmissioned plant is the 102MW Nyngan plant from AGL Energy and First Solar.

Origin's latest PPA will increase its owned and contracted renewable portfolio to more than 700MW.

The firm is also building Australia’s largest solar canopy at Westfield Marion in Adelaide, a 263kW solar array on the roof of the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra and is planning to build a 3MW system on the roof of the new Tonsley technological precinct in Adelaide.

Read Next

June 20, 2025
The Energy Corporation of New South Wales (EnergyCo) has confirmed that construction on Australia’s first Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has started.
June 20, 2025
The Australian government has given the green light for a landowner-led 250MW solar-plus-storage project in Tasmania.
June 19, 2025
Danish renewables firm European Energy has reached financial close on a 137MW utility-scale solar PV portfolio in Australia.
June 19, 2025
Australia-based solar PV module manufacturer Tindo Solar has inked a 15MW solar PV module supply agreement with Vietnam.
June 18, 2025
Greek developer Metlen Energy and Metals, formerly known as Mytilineos, has refinanced a 532MW solar PV portfolio in Australia.
June 18, 2025
Australia’s minister for climate change and energy, Chris Bowen, has announced plans to streamline the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) to around six months.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico