Adani to Build 65MW Solar Farm in Queensland
International Solar Photovoltaic Network: Recently, Adani said that its first renewable energy project in Australia, a 65MW solar power plant near Moranbah, is now officially open and operational. It is reported that the project will provide electricity to more than 23,000 homes and businesses in Queensland.
At the same time, due to grid connection problems, the renewable energy department of the Indian mining giant decided to suspend its plan to invest more than A$1 billion in renewable energy projects in Australia.
Previously, grid connection problems had hindered the operation of Adani's photovoltaic system. The Rugby Run solar power plant was put back into operation in June this year after a seven-month grid delay. The project includes 247,000 solar panels, making it the eighth largest solar power plant in Queensland and a significant contribution to the Queensland government's goal of achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030.
The $100 million Rugby Run project is self-funded by Adani. The developer directly manages the construction contractor, rather than through the EPC contract model. Under the power purchase agreement, Adani will sell 80% of the project's electricity output to an Australian electricity retailer, and the remaining 20% will be sold in the spot market.
The project is part of Adani's plan to develop 1.5GW of PV capacity in Australia. In addition to the Rugby Run project, Adani also received planning permission in 2017 to build a 140MW solar power plant outside Whyalla, South Australia. The company is currently negotiating a power purchase agreement and expects to make a commercial decision on the project in 2019.
But Adani's renewable energy plans appear to have been put on hold due to the delay of the Queensland solar project.