Western Downs Green Power Hub
The Western Downs Green Power Hub is a large solar farm near Chinchilla in Queensland, Australia. The photovoltaic solar power station uses one million solar panels to generate 400 megawatts of power.[2] It utilizes 72-cell bi-facial solar modules on a system that tracks the sun throughout the day.[3] It is the largest solar farm in Australia.[3]
| Western Downs Green Power Hub | |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Location | 22km southeast of Chinchilla, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 26.955°S 150.677°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | June 2020 |
| Construction cost | $600 million[1] |
| Owner(s) | Neoen |
| Operator(s) | |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Collectors | 1,000,000 |
| Site area | 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 400 MW |
| External links | |
| Website | https://westerndownsgreenpowerhub.com.au/ |
The 1,500 hectare solar farm is owned and operated by Neoen. The state government-owned renewable energy operator CleanCo has signed an agreement to purchase 80% of the project's capacity.[2]
Construction began in June 2020.[1] The solar farm was built by Sterling & Wilson.[1] Exports to the grid had begun by August 2022.[4] The final solar panel was installed on 1 May 2023.[5] The event was attended by state premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.[5]
The hub will also contain a 200MW/400MWh big battery. Construction of the battery had begun by January 2023.[6] It is connected to the national grid via a new 275 kilovolt line constructed by Powerlink Queensland.[7]
References
- "Western Downs Green Power Hub, Queensland". Power Technology. Verdict Media. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- Carroll, David (6 April 2023). "Final panel installed as Australia's largest solar farm nears full capacity". pv magazine. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- "Western Downs Green Power Hub". NS Energy. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- Carroll, David (22 August 2022). "Australia's largest solar farm begins exporting to grid". pv magazine. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- "Final solar panel installed". Western Downs Green Power Hub. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- "Battery Update: 2023". Western Downs Green Power Hub. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- R., Luwela (5 April 2023). "Construction of the 400MW Western Downs Green Power Hub completed". Australian Resources. Digital Media News. Retrieved 8 May 2023.