New solar farm set to connect at Columboola

Luminous Energy has completed a contract to connect its proposed 162MW Columboola Solar Farm to the state’s network via the Columboola Substation. Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the solar farm, near Miles, would provide up to 400 construction jobs and the substation and transmission line works would support another 17 jobs. Construction of the project’s transmission assets is due to start by April 2020 and it is expected to come online in 2021. “Our state’s renewable revolution is full steam ahead with almost 2400 megawatts of renewable energy capacity now operating, and another 250 MW underway or committed," Dr Lynham said. Energy Minister Anthony Lynham. “We already have 30 solar farms, and more than 560,000 Queensland roofs sporting solar systems, with combined generation capacity of more than 4000 megawatts. “Importantly, Columboola solar farm will create five permanent jobs in the area on top of the construction jobs when it comes on line in early 2021.” Powerlink interim chief executive Kev Kehl said the connection project involved works at Powerlink’s existing Columboola Substation and construction of almost 2km of transmission line. “We have been partnering with the Luminous Energy project team over an extensive period of time to optimise their connection,” Mr Kehl said. “Powerlink has delivered 13 connections for large-scale renewable projects across Queensland, representing more than 1,600MW of potential generation.” Ergon depot undergoes $1m upgrade Dr Lynham also announced a $1 million project to upgrade Ergon’s depot at Biggenden in the North Burnett region to give crews a safer, more efficient base. He said the project would see up to 10 locals working on site, including builders and electricians from Bundaberg. “Even the concrete is being sourced from Gayndah,” he said. “This will give our hard-working local Ergon Energy crews a safer, more efficient facility to work from and support local businesses." Civil works at the Biggenden site will be staged in sections between now and the end of December with the project expected to be completed and crews working from their new depot by the end of January. Queensland’s publicly-owned electricity companies – Powerlink, Ergon, Energex, CS Energy, Stanwell Corp and CleanCo, will invest more than $2.2 billion on capital works in 2019-20, supporting up to 4900 jobs

New solar farm set to connect at Columboola

Industry Queensland

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