On September 18th, the Australian government granted its environmental approval for the development of a 300MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in northern Queensland.
Cambridge JMD Australia, a subsidiary of fund manager Cambridge RE Partners, is currently overseeing the development of the Cambridge Solar Farm, a 300MW project. The solar farm is situated around 80km south of Townsville and will be connected to the existing transmission infrastructure.
The Cambridge Solar Farm will be located in close proximity to a designated Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) that has been identified by the Queensland government. The proposed REZs, namely Far North Queensland, Collinsville, and Flinders, are being considered for development in the northern and far northern regions of Queensland. If all three REZs are successfully completed, they have the potential to generate up to 5GW of renewable energy.
The proximity of the Cambridge Solar Farm to the Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) can be advantageous for the project. It offers the opportunity to utilize the modernized and upgraded transmission infrastructure, enabling seamless connection to the National Electricity Market (NEM). This strategic advantage can greatly benefit the Cambridge Solar Farm and enhance its operational efficiency.
The plans for the 300MW Cambridge Solar Farm include the potential development of an on-site battery energy storage system (BESS). However, specific details regarding the capacity and duration of the BESS have not been disclosed at this time.
Preparatory activities on the site are projected to begin in late 2025, followed by the installation and connection of the initial phase of solar panels within a 12-month timeframe. The commissioning of the first phase of solar PV modules is anticipated to take place in late 2026.
Australia’s Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, emphasized that the Labor government is actively progressing towards transforming the nation into a renewable energy leader. She also criticized the stance of the Liberal-National Coalition on nuclear energy.
“In the past two years, I have approved over 60 renewable energy projects, sufficient to supply electricity to nearly seven million households. Peter Dutton fails to provide Australians with clear information on the costs associated with constructing nuclear reactors, the impact of expensive nuclear power on their bills, or the number of reactors that might be situated in Australian communities,” Plibersek stated.
“Australians are faced with a decision: embrace the ongoing transition to renewable energy that is already reducing prices, or bear the cost of an expensive nuclear fantasy that may never materialize,” Plibersek stated.
