The $7.8 billion Project Green Poly is progressing through the approvals process, with its referral under Federal environmental laws now open for public comment.

The Queensland Government declared the Solquartz and Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners-backed venture as a prescribed project in March, highlighting its potential to create 4400 jobs in and around Townsville during its construction and 30-plus years in operation.

The proposal includes a manufacturing plant with the capacity to produce up to 150,000 tonnes per annum of metallurgical silicon and a plant able to produce up to 100,000 tpa of polysilicon to be built within the Lansdown Eco Industrial Precinct.

Polysilicon and metallurgical silicon are key raw materials in the solar PV manufacturing supply chain and computer chip supply chain respectively.

The complex would also include a 750 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) as well as a biochar processing facility supporting documents for its approval under the EPBC Act show.

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Project Green Poly would offer a fully integrated supply chain to convert quartz mined in North Queensland to metallurgical silicon, then to polysilicon and possibly to ingots and wafers.

At full capacity, the proponents expect the project to deliver export revenues of more than $2 billion per annum and position North Queensland as an integral part of the global solar PV supply chain.

It is expected to generate widespread economic impacts throughout the Townsville economy, with positive effects rippling across various industries.

It also has the potential to add value on a national and regional scale, as it would:

• Facilitate the development of the Lansdown Eco Industrial Precinct by providing an alternative, reliable and low-cost energy source for prospective LEIP users.
• Enhance regional supply chains, creating opportunities for local businesses and related industries to participate and benefit from the project’s activities.
• Support the transition to a low-carbon economy and assist the Queensland Government in achieving its climate targets.
• Create a significant export industry for North Queensland and deliver upon the State and Federal governments’ ambition to be a green superpower.
• Create the opportunity for STEM skills development in regional Queensland to enhance the existing metals processing and chemicals production skill base that exists in Townsville.
• Play an integral role in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan by providing significant load to bolster the electricity grid in North Queensland and delivering clean and affordable energy.

Public comments on the proposal are open until December 20.

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