SOLAR Energy
SOLAR FEVER SWEEPS THE SUNSHINE STATE Large-scale solar projects are popping up across Queensland’s sun-baked interior, spurring speculation of a new ‘Photovoltaic Rush’ to renewable energy, Richard Szabo reports.
overnment incentives and knowledge- sharing between energy producers and G researchers are making solar energy production more affordable, sparking a flurry of new photovoltaic (PV) projects to harness the potential of PV energy.
The federally funded Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) research and Development Programme provides funding that supplements new solar projects with the necessary capital to progress to more advanced stages of planning and development. ARENA reveals more competitive tendering for grants is pushing Ivor Frischknecht Simon Kidston down the amount of funding energy KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY FUNDING SOUGHT FOR DOZENS producers require to set up new solar plants. TO COST SAVINGS OF SOLAR PROJECTS “[In the past some proposed solar] plants needed around $1.60 in ARENA funding Frischknecht reveals knowledge is not Twenty proponents have applied to ARENA per watt. The funding requirement for new only power but also the key to cost savings. for the latest round of large-scale PV funding. projects [since] fell to 43 cents per watt in the Successful applicants are expected to be expression-of-interest phase of our funding “Doing something the first few times is always announced in September 2016. round in November 2015,” ARENA CEO Ivor harder and more expensive, and building large- Frischknecht says. scale solar PV plants is no exception,” he says. Queensland projects currently being considered for funding include: “The need fell again by more than a third to “We arranged a knowledge sharing forum for an average of 28 cents per watt in the full existing ARENA-supported developers to pass • Origin Energy’s $1 billion Darling Downs applications. This clearly demonstrates how on their experience to the new shortlisted Solar Farm in Dalby quickly large-scale solar PV costs are falling developers, fostering collaboration, sharing • KCSF Consortium’s Kelsey Creek Solar supported by ARENA funding, which has solutions to common problems and advancing Farm in Proserpine resulted in rising confidence, lower finance the industry as a whole.” • RATCH-Australia Corporation’s $100m costs and a more supportive market for Collinsville Solar Power Station power purchase agreements.” Genex Power executive director Simon • Canadian Solar Australia’s $170m Oakey Kidston recognises the work of ARENA to Solar Farm and Longreach Solar Farm make establishing utility-scale PV projects • Overland Sun Farming Company’s $140m more affordable for proponents. Hughenden Sun Farm • Edify Energy’s and Solar Choice’s “ARENA [has invested] over $300 million Whitsunday Solar Farm in this sector to date. ARENA’s solar programs are helping to drive down the cost at the same For more information visit arena.gov.au time as supporting the deployment of large scale solar,” Kidston says.
52 QUEENSLAND MINING & ENERGY BULLETIN / Spring 2016 / www.qmeb.com.au Kidston Solar Farm (courtesy of Genex Power)
A MODERN-DAY GOLD RUSH
Genex has observed strong growth in PV projects across the Sunshine State.
“We are certainly seeing a modern emulation of the historic Gold Rush. This ‘PV Rush’ is a response to increasing peak prices in Queensland’s electricity market, strong government support for renewable energy development, and a world-class solar resource,” Kidston says.
“The Kidston Solar Project is the only solar project located within the favoured ‘red-zone’ of Australia that has an existing transmission Collinsville Solar Farm (courtesy of RATCH-Australia) line connected to the National Electricity Market. These characteristics make both the OUT WITH THE COAL, IN WITH THE RENEWABLES timing and location of the project ideal.
“[The Kidston project] is at an advanced stage RATCH is setting an eco-friendly trend by stage of the development. We don’t of development, with key milestones including transforming the decommissioned Collinsville have a firm date for commencement of coal-fired power station into a new 42 the execution of a firm grid connection with construction yet, but RATCH’s development megawatt (MW) solar power station. Ergon Energy, and appointment of UGL as team continues to invest significant efforts preferred EPC contractor. UGL provides “[The project is] giving the historical site a internally and externally to progress this considerable expertise and experience in new lease of life as a clean energy power project to construction. RATCH Australia is design and construction of solar PV projects. station,” RATCH development manager seeking a slice of the funding, which certainly Construction is expected to commence in the Anthony Yeates says. fourth quarter (4Q) of 2016 with anticipated will be helpful to considerably enhance the first cash flow by 4Q 2017.” “The Collinsville Solar Farm is at an advanced project’s financial viability.”
www.qmeb.com.au / Spring 2016 / QUEENSLAND MINING & ENERGY BULLETIN 53 SOLAR Energy
Clare Solar Project (courtesy of FRV Services Australia)
PROPONENT EYES MULTIPLE SITES IN QUEENSLAND
After successfully delivering the 20MW Royalla Solar Farm in Canberra and the 56MW $149m Moree Solar Farm in northern New South Wales, FRV Services Australia is now focusing on multiple locations across Queensland for the next wave of projects.
“FRV has been also been developing multiple projects Townsville RSL Stadium (courtesy of Ergon Energy) in Queensland - the most advanced of which is the 100MW [$400m] Clare Solar Farm located 35km from The department has a range of the township of Ayr in North Queensland. The Clare information to assist proponents with Solar Farm is expected to be one of the largest projects their projects, including mapping delivered in Australia to date,” FRV country manager information and the renewable energy Cameron Garnsworthy Cameron Garnsworthy says. guide that is available online at dews.qld. gov.au/electricity/renewables AUTHORITIES MAKE A BIG “At this stage, FRV expects to commence construction of this project later this year and looks forward to COMMITMENT TO RENEWABLE ARENA estimates its funding working with the community and other stakeholders ENERGY programmes have the potential to create to make this project a success. Beyond the Clare Solar at least 1000 new jobs in construction, Farm Project, FRV has three further development manufacturing and civil engineering. The Queensland Government says approved projects in Queensland: [$400m] Lilyvale, it is making a major commitment to Baralaba and [$1bn] Dalby – which combined increasing the uptake of renewable represent a further 250MW of capacity that we look energy to reduce emissions, drive forward to progressing further in the short-term.” jobs and firmly establish the state as a renewable energy leader.
“The government has set a target of one million Queensland solar rooftops or 3000MW of capacity by the year “The Clare Solar Farm is 2020 and, in early 2016, it reached the expected to be one of the halfway mark with 1500 megawatts of small-scale solar [panels] installed. largest projects delivered Queensland has one of the highest penetration rates of rooftop solar in in Australia to date.” the world,” a spokesperson for the Solar radiance distribution (courtesy of Genex Power) Queensland Department of Energy and Water Supply says.
“The [State] Government’s Solar120 PROFILE Project is one initiative supporting large scale solar generation, and is about RICHARD SZABO supplying Queensland’s electricity FREELANCE MEDIA SPECIALIST network with a large scale supply of Richard Szabo is a freelance media specialist with nine years’ renewable energy. The project involves experience in digital and print media. He was named winner Queensland-based solar projects in the best business or finance story category of the 2012 shortlisted by the ARENA that go on to MACCAS Gold Coast Media Award and contributes stories to secure federal support, becoming eligible APRS Media, Projectory and The Middle Land Magazine. for additional State Government funding.” Doomadgee Solar Farm (courtesy of Ergon Energy)
54 QUEENSLAND MINING & ENERGY BULLETIN / Spring 2016 / www.qmeb.com.au