Queensland’s Aldoga Solar Farm Achieves Full Operational Status
Acciona Energía, a Spanish renewable energy firm, has announced that its Aldoga solar farm, boasting a capacity of 380 megawatts (MW), situated near Gladstone in Queensland, has finished its commissioning phase and is now fully operational.
The construction of the Aldoga Solar Farm, which has a peak output of 480 MW (or 380 MW rated capacity), was completed in April, just a year after work commenced, arriving seven months ahead of the planned schedule. The commissioning process has now been concluded.
Details of the Solar Farm’s Impact
Located 20 kilometres north-west of Gladstone, on Queensland’s central coast, the Aldoga Solar Farm is expected to generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of around 185,000 households. Its capacity places it just behind the Western Downs, New England, and Stubbo solar farms, each rated at 400 MW, with New England currently undergoing an expansion to reach 720 MW.
All energy produced will be purchased by Queensland’s state-owned energy enterprise, Stanwell Corporation, under a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
Acciona Energía’s Commitment to Local Communities
Gavin Reymond, managing director of Acciona Energía Australia, expressed pride in completing the Aldoga Solar Farm ahead of schedule, highlighting the successful collaboration with local partners. “As a developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy projects, we are proud to contribute to Queensland’s energy transition by establishing a large-scale asset that provides clean power, fosters regional employment, and supports long-term community investment,” he said.
The construction phase created 350 local jobs at its peak and will sustain 15 permanent roles for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the solar facility. The project incorporated Australian-made materials and components, with local procurement amounting to an impressive $150 million in goods and services sourced from local businesses and suppliers.
Community Initiatives and Future Endeavours
In addition to enhancing local infrastructure during the construction process, Acciona Energía has initiated a Small Grants Program aimed at funding various projects put forward by local organisations. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to community engagement and support.
Beyond Aldoga, Acciona Energía has nearly 2 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity either installed or under construction throughout Australia. This includes the MacIntyre Wind Farm in Queensland, which, when completed, will be among the largest wind farms in the Southern Hemisphere with a capacity of 923 MW currently in the commissioning process.
