Expansion of Queensland’s Solar and Battery Project
Vena Energy, a Singaporean renewables developer, has announced the start of construction on a 320-megawatt solar farm in Queensland’s Western Downs region. This development follows the signing of a long-term power purchase agreement with CleanCo, a state-owned energy company.
The new solar farm, named Wandoan South Solar 2, is an expansion of Vena’s Wandoan South Project, which will eventually include 650MW of solar capacity and 450MW of battery storage. The initial phase of the battery, with a capacity of 100MW/150MWh, has been operational since August 2022, marking Queensland’s first grid-scale battery.
Growing Renewable Energy Portfolio
Wandoan South Solar 2 complements the existing 168MW Wandoan South Solar 1, which commenced commercial operations in 2024 with a power purchase agreement with Amazon. Once operational in mid-2027, the new solar farm is expected to generate approximately 700GWh of clean energy annually, sufficient to power around 120,000 average households in Queensland.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
Owen Sela, Vena Energy’s head of Australia, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainable development through the establishment of “development clusters” in Australia. These clusters currently account for 732MW of green power and 600MWh of battery storage capacity across various stages of operation, construction, or contracting.
Sela emphasised that Wandoan South Solar 2 will play a vital role in Queensland’s evolving energy landscape, contributing significantly to renewable energy generation and supporting Australia’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Furthermore, Vena Energy has prioritised engagement with the Indigenous Iman People, incorporating co-designed cultural practices that honour their connection to the land. The company also aims to create economic opportunities for local businesses, ensuring that the broader community benefits from the project’s success.
Supporting Decarbonisation Goals
CleanCo’s power purchase agreement with Wandoan South Solar 2 will enhance the availability of renewable energy for major employers in Queensland, aiding their decarbonisation efforts. CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe highlighted the company’s role as the state’s sole pumped hydro operator, enabling the storage and distribution of energy from the project to meet peak demand periods.
Metcalfe expressed CleanCo’s commitment to an energy future that is cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally sustainable, delivering lasting value to customers and communities throughout the state.
The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for the solar farm has been awarded to GRS, who will be responsible for installing over 450,000 solar photovoltaic modules. The construction phase is expected to employ up to 400 workers at its peak, with a focus on providing opportunities for local and First Nations communities.
Sophie Vorrath, editor of Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid, has been at the forefront of clean energy journalism for over a decade.
