X-ELIO is celebrating the opening of its Blue Grass Solar Farm in Queensland‘s Western Downs, 14 kilometres from Chinchilla.
In a statement, X-ELIO said the local council, community residents, and other business officials attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Key project partners were also present.
The 200MW solar farm is one of Queensland’s 50 large-scale renewable projects. It will contribute to the Queensland Government‘s Renewable Energy Target (QRET) of generating 70 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035, as recently announced as part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
The farm is anticipated to produce 420 GWh of green energy each year, offset more than 320,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions and power 80,000 homes across the state. During the two-year development of the solar farm, 400 local jobs were created, with the project producing a more than $200 million investment in the state of Queensland.
The Blue Grass Solar Farm uses sophisticated technologies, such as 375,000 bifacial solar panels and half-cut cells, to improve performance and efficiency, lowering solar costs and supporting Australia’s 2050 net zero ambitions.
Gransolar Group (GRS), Ingeteam, and Powerlink were among the first-tier renewable and transmission specialists who assisted with the project’s construction and grid connection. It has received financial support from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), ING, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and long-term support from first-tier competitors Salesforce, Stanwell Corporation, and ZEN Energy, Australia’s only 1.5 °C energy retailer.
The Blue Grass Community Support and Benefit Sharing Fund, which gives a percentage of the project’s income to local community projects, also awarded funds to four local community initiatives.
The Resourcing Country District Instrumental Music Program, the Friends of Illoura Village, which will purchase an accessible bus to transport the elderly and disabled around the community, the Western Downs Emergency Services Unit, which will establish a Mobile Emergency Operations Center trailer named “Ruby” to support future SES operations in the region, and many other organisations will benefit from the funding.
Councillor Paul McVeigh, Mayor of Western Downs, said the region is pleased to be known as the “Energy Capital of Queensland,” and Council is committed to working with energy firms and developers who demonstrate a commitment to the region, as well as the growth of the community and local economy.
“It’s very exciting to see the Blue Grass Solar Farm reaching this milestone, and we look forward to its future operation in the heart of our region further contributing to the exciting and rapidly expanding energy mix within the Western Downs,” McVeigh stated.
X-ELIO Country Manager in Australia Belinda Fan said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the official opening of the Blue Grass Solar Farm – X-ELIO’s first solar project in Australia. The completion of this project reflects the dedication and ingenuity of our local team, as well as the ongoing support of our esteemed partners and the broader Western Downs community.”
According to Fan, X-ELIO is happy that the Blue Grass Solar Farm is one of Queensland’s 50 large-scale renewable projects and that it’s coming online at an ideal moment to support the State Government’s clean energy goals.
“It’s also incredibly gratifying to be able to use this occasion to recognise local community initiatives with funding from our Community Support and Benefit Sharing Fund, which demonstrates X-ELIO’s commitment to supporting the socio-economic development of the communities in which we operate around the world,” Fan said.
Fan added that with other projects slated for NSW and VIC, Australia is a crucial strategic market for X-ELIO. She stated that the Blue Grass Solar Farm would lead X-ELIO’s continuous expansion along the Australian East Coast.
“Stanwell’s offtake agreement with Blue Grass Solar Farm will enable us to provide clean, renewable energy to our customers, who are increasingly seeking clean energy solutions to meet their own decarbonisation requirements,” Stanwell Corporation CEO Michael O’Rourke said.
Monique Miller, Executive Director of CEFC, said: “The CEFC congratulates X-ELIO on the official opening of Blue Grass Solar Farm. One of the most effective ways to accelerate Australia’s transition to net zero emissions is to fortify the renewable energy sector and increase our clean energy generation. X-ELIO’s work with the community also helps improve the sector’s understanding about the importance of local collaboration and we look forward to learning more about their support for these important and diverse community initiatives.
Pip Marlow, CEO of ANZ and ASEAN at Salesforce stated that in 2021, Salesforce would use 100 per cent renewable energy for its international operations, with net zero residual emissions. According to Marlow, to achieve our goal of a net zero planet, initiatives like the Blue Grass Solar Farm are essential. Marlow added that due to its strong community support system, low ecological value, and high potential to reduce emissions dramatically, the Blue Grass project was chosen for implementation.
Sam Terko, Head of Energy at ING Australia, said “We are delighted to be celebrating the official launch of the Blue Grass Solar Farm and are proud to have supported X-ELIO with their first investment in Australia, which further reinforces our institutions’ strong and global relationship. ING Bank is committed to the Australian energy sector and to helping our clients realise their growth ambitions in clean energy generation. The Blue Grass transaction aligns with our objective to support the decarbonisation of the Australian power sector and further adds to our predominantly renewables portfolio here in Australia.”
Anthony Garnaut, CEO of ZEN Energy, said: “ZEN Energy is very pleased to be working with X ELIO to grow our renewable energy portfolio. Getting more renewable assets online is key to our role in accelerating Australia’s path through the energy transition and beyond. X-ELIO’s open and engaging approach to the communities where they operate demonstrates the people-centred approach that we hope to find in our partners.”
