Genex Lands Solar Plus Storage Deal of 337.5 MW with Fortescue

Genex Lands Solar Plus Storage Deal

Genex Power, which develops projects for renewable energy generation and storage across Australia, will be developing a 2 GW multi-stage Bulli Creek solar and battery project in Queensland. The Australian firm has joined hands with the green energy arm of Fortescue Metals Group for the project for a period of 25 years.

The Bulli Creek solar and battery project will be developed in a phased manner. The contract paves the way for the establishment of a solar farm of at least 450 MW capacity in the the first stage and for the offtake of up to 337.5 MW of solar energy and renewable generation certificates.

As revealed by the Craig Francis, CEO, Genex Power, the said project had been acquired last year. Formerly, only a stand-alone BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) was planned in the first stage.

The CEO informed, “However, securing this long-term 25-year offtake agreement with Fortescue for 337.5 MW of solar capacity at Bulli Creek has reshaped the first stage of the project into a large-scale solar farm.” He added, “Discussions are continuing with external parties for further offtake to support a solar farm capacity of up to 775 MW for this first stage of the project.” He stated that the Bulli Creek solar farm is set to be the largest solar farm connected to the National Electricity Market (NEM).

Genex has partnered with Japanese electric utility J-Power for the solar plus storage project.

A battery energy storage system of up to 400 MW/1,600 MWh capacity will be added to the project in the initial phase. This will boast a potential of expansion up to the full 2 GW capacity.  Energy production will first begin in 2026.

Additionally, as per Fortescue, the solar energy purchased under the project would help meet a part of the renewable energy demands for a proposed 70,000-tonne green hydrogen production facility at Gibson Island. The project will create the need for close to 1 GW of renewable energy contracts.

“It is the first PPA for the project and finalising it is an important milestone in our pursuit of a targeted final investment decision this calendar year,” said Fortescue Energy CEO Mark Hutchinson while adding, “We’re also helping Genex and J-Power to deliver their project and bring new renewable energy capacity online in Queensland – close to 115 MW from this first stage is surplus to our contracted share and will therefore flow back into the electricity grid.”

Australia is home to some of the world’s largest battery sites, including Neoen’s 300 MW, 450 MWh Victorian Big Battery near Geelong.