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Whitsunday solar farm to create 200 jobs

Solar panels in the dusk of the evening

The Whitsunday Solar Farm is expected to create 200 jobs and will provide renewable energy to the Whitsundays region.

The Queensland Government has been briefed by the owner and proponent of the Whitsunday solar farm, Edify Energy, and its development partner Solar Choice, on its investment in regional Queensland.

Meeting in the Whitsunday region for Community Cabinet, Minister for Energy Mark Bailey said the Whitsunday solar farm was another example of industry confidence in Queensland’s renewable energy future.

“The Whitsunday Solar farm is a joint initiative of Australian renewable energy company Edify Energy and its German investor, Wirsol,” Mr Bailey said.

“Upon completion, this renewable energy generator will provide 58 megawatts of renewable capacity to the Whitsundays region and will provide 200 jobs during construction.”

Minister Bailey said the project was a successful recipient of ARENA funding and support under the Palaszczuk Government’s Solar 150 program, which provides a 20 year revenue guarantee.

“The Whitsundays Solar Farm is part of the new, large scale renewable industry the Palaszczuk Government has established in Queensland which will boost investment in the state by more than $600 million, creating around 600 direct jobs and hundreds more indirect jobs in regional Queensland,” Mr Bailey said.

Edify Chief Executive John Cole said the combination a disciplined approach to development, federal government funding and state revenue guarantee made the project an attractive investment.

“We were able to attract the capital to this project due to the currently stable renewable energy investment climate Queensland is seeing,” Mr Cole said.

“The Whitsunday solar farm project has been a key focal point for both Edify and Solar Choice over recent months and indeed years.

“Securing the ARENA grant funding is a milestone for this project and will help provide the catalyst in the ultimate buildout of a very large solar project with our partners Wirsol. We welcome ARENA’s and the Queensland Government’s involvement in kick starting utility scale solar in Australia.

“We are excited to be at the forefront of the large scale Australian solar PV sector and producing a significant volume of renewable energy. This is just the beginning for Edify.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said Queensland has some of the best solar resources in the world and it is vital for our economy and the environment that we harness their potential.

 

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