Queensland to Get its Largest Hybrid Renewable Park from Octopus Investments Australia

Queensland to Get its Largest Hybrid Renewable Park from Octopus Investments Australia

Specialist Renewables Manager Octopus Investments Australia has made the acquisition for a 175 MW solar project with battery storage component in Queensland. This will be an addition to the existing wind farm and will pave the way for the largest multi-technology renewable energy hub in the state.

The Ardandra photovoltaic (PV) will be constructed close to the 180 MW Dulacca Wind Farm set up in the souhtwest of Queensland. The farm went online in April, 2023. The 175 MW is slated for installation by 2025. The upcoming solar project will boast of 400 MWh of battery storage. In unison with the Dulacca wind farm, this is set to be the biggest hybrid renewable energy park in Queensland. The hybrid renewable energy park will surpass the Kennedy Energy Park, which is  the world’s first hybrid wind, solar and energy storage facility established in central north Queensland.

The Kennedy Energy Park brings together 43 MW of wind, 15 MW of solar with 2 MW/4 MWh of storage.

With the said acquistion, Octopus will be able to expand its portfolio in Australia. Last month, the firm had also purchased a 400 MW wind project in New South Wales from Germany’s Juwi AG.

“The development of the Octopus Western Downs Energy Park sets an example of how renewable energy will support the needs of Queensland’s energy transition,” stated Darren Brown, Co-Head of Investment and Development at Octopus Australia. He added, “Integrated renewable and storage technologies allow clean energy to provide ‘firmed’ energy offerings, providing energy when customers need it most.”

Other recent renewable energy purchases of Octopus in Australia include the 400 MW Hay Plains Wind Project, Fulham Solar and Storage Project. The firm is also an owner of the Darlington Point solar farm with 330 MW of capacity.

A week back, Acen, the Phillipines-based renewable energy major that is part of the Ayala group, said it was set to make Australia’s largest storage battery project linked to a solar farm.