Australia, Funding, Projects, Solar Projects, Wind Projects

Another $2bn makes 2017 an ‘unprecedented year’ for new power generation: CEC

More than $2 billion worth of renewable energy projects attracted financial commitment in the last three months, adding up to an unprecedented $7.4 billion in investment and more than 3,300MW of new renewable energy capacity which will be under construction or completed in 2017, the Clean Energy Council said.

Clean Energy Council CEO Kane Thornton said a string of large-scale solar project announcements since February meant more than 4,100 direct jobs would be created in a record-breaking year for new investment in the sector.

“Bringing on new forms of energy generation is necessary to ensure continued energy security as ageing coal-fired power continues to close,” Thornton said.

“Thankfully, 35 large-scale renewable energy projects are now under construction in Australia. Large-scale renewable energy, combined with the continued strong uptake of rooftop solar and emergence of energy storage, provides a clear pathway for Australia’s future energy needs,” Thornton said.

The 35 projects that are under construction, will start construction or have been completed in 2017 account for 4,105 direct jobs, more than $7.4 billion of investment and 3,549MW of new renewable energy capacity – the biggest program of works in the history of the industry, he said.

“Regional NSW and Queensland in particular will enjoy some of the biggest job and investment benefits, while the Victorian Government’s state target is expected to drive more project activity once finalised and legislated.”

Between 5,000 and 6,000MW of new generating capacity is required to meet the 2020 large-scale Renewable Energy Target of 33,000 gigawatt-hours.

The 35 projects are…


Large-scale renewable energy projects: under construction

Technology State Developer Project MW Invest-ment ($m) Jobs
Wind SA Neoen and Megawatt Capital Hornsdale Stage 2 100 800 150
Wind SA Neoen and Megawatt Capital Hornsdale Stage 3 109    
Wind NSW Goldwind White Rock – Stage 1 175 400 300
Wind QLD RATCH Mt Emerald 180 380 150
Wind VIC Windlab Kiata 30 75 70
Solar WA APA Emu Downs 20 50 100
Wind and Solar SA EDL Coober Pedy 4 37  
Solar QLD Sunshine Coast Council Sunshine Coast Solar Farm 15 50 60
Solar NSW New Gullen Range Wind Farm Gullen Range Solar Farm 10 26 70
Solar QLD Conergy – Lakeland Solar & Storage P/L Lakeland Solar & Storage Project 10.8 42.5 60
Solar QLD FRV Clare Solar Farm 100 190 200
Solar QLD Genex Kidston Solar 50 126 100
Bagasse QLD MSF Sugar Tableland Sugar Mill 24 75 80
Wind VIC Pacific Hydro Yaloak South 29 130  
Wind VIC Acciona Mt Gellibrand – Stage 1 66 140 100
Wind NSW Partners Group and CWP Renewables Sapphire 270 588 200
Solar QLD Canadian Solar & Scouller Energy Normanton Solar Farm 5 14 20
Solar QLD Canadian Solar Longreach Solar Farm 17.4 31 30
Solar QLD Canadian Solar Oakey 1 Solar Farm 30 56 50

Large-scale renewable energy projects: now operating

Technology State Developer Project MW Invest-ment ($m) Jobs
Wind VIC RES, GE and Downer Ararat Wind Farm 240 450 165

Large-scale renewable energy projects: financial commitment, will start in 2017

Technology State Developer Project MW Invest-ment ($m) Jobs
Wind NSW Global Power Generation Australia Crookwell 2 91.0 140 100
Solar QLD Sun Metals Sun Metals Solar Farm 116.0 350 200
Solar QLD ESCO Pacific/Palisade Ross River 148.0 200 80
Wind and solar QLD Windlab Kennedy Energy Park 40.0 155 250
Wind NSW PARF Silverton 200.0 225 150
Solar QLD FRV Lilyvale 100.0 120 50
Solar SA Snowy Hydro Tailem Bend 100.0 460 150
Solar NSW Neoen Griffith, Parkes, Dubbo 110.0 400 200
Solar VIC Overland Sun Farming Yatpool, Iraak, Wemen 320.0 200 200
Solar NSW First Solar Manildra Solar Farm 48.5 230 250
Solar SA Lyon Group Riverland Solar Farm 330.0 500 200
Wind NSW Infigen Energy Bodangora Wind Farm 113.2    
Solar QLD Edify Energy Whitsunday Solar Farm 57.5 700 270
Solar SA Reach Solar Bungala Solar Project 220.0 263 120
Solar QLD Canadian Solar Oakey 2 SF 70.0 250 180
TOTAL – Solar* 1922.2 3512.5 2540
TOTAL – Wind* 1647.2 4016 1535
TOTALS 3549.4 MW

 

$7446.5m 4105

*Both totals include projects with combined wind + solar technologies. These double-counted projects include 20MW capacity, $82 million and 30 jobs, which have been removed from the final total.


Distribution of large-scale renewable energy projects – by state

State Projects Capacity (MW) Investment ($m) Jobs
Queensland 15 963 2224 1680
New South Wales 8 1017 2140 1170
Victoria 5 685 1295 535
South Australia 6 863 1737 620
Western Australia 1 20 50 100

 

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