Adani Renewables CEO, Jennifer Purdie announced that work would start on the first stage of the solar plant, anticipated to cost in excess of $100M, by the end of the year following the recent approval of a Development Approval by Isaac Regional Council.
Preparatory work, including Cultural Heritage surveys and engineering design, has commenced with orders for critical equipment now being secured.
“This is an exciting project in terms of its size, location, and the technology we are using,” Dr Purdie said.
“This will be Adani Renewables’ first project – the first of many – and we thank the Isaac Regional Council, in particular Mayor Anne Baker and her officers for their assistance and encouragement.”
The 65 MW first stage of Rugby Run Solar Farm – to be built on a 600-hectare block that was part of the Rugby Run grazing property – is expected to use the latest mono-PERC technology and single axis tracking systems developed to improve efficiency and output. Further stages are planned to take the generation capacity up to 170MW.
Adani, the largest solar energy generator in India, is planning to have a number of solar projects in Australia with a total capacity of 1,500MW within the next five years.
The solar projects are in addition to Adani’s $16.5 billion investment in the planned Carmichael coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin a well as rail and port infrastructure.
Construction of Rugby Run Solar Farm will be completed in approximately 12 months from start of work.
The workforce is likely to peak at up to 150 employees during construction, with full time operation staff to number up to six.
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said Council supported responsible industry development which genuinely engages with all stakeholders.
“We are excited to welcome Rugby Run Solar Farm as the first renewable energy project in the region,” she said.
“This project continues to diversify our local economy, and will contribute towards a sustainable future for both Isaac and the state.
“We look forward to the employment opportunities and long-term benefits that Rugby Run will deliver to our communities.”
Adani Renewables has executed the initial stage of works to expedite a network connection application with Powerlink to feed into their existing network supplying the State.
Adani has constructed 793 MW of solar plant in India to date, including the world’s largest single site plant at Tamil Nadu in southern India which has a capacity of 648MW. Adani has a further 1,225 MW in construction or late development phase in India.
