Origin Energy has entered into an agreement with Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) to purchase solar power from the proposed 100 MW Clare Solar Farm in north Queensland.
Under the terms of the power purchase agreement (PPA), Origin will purchase 100 per cent of the output and large scale renewable energy certificates (LRECs) from Clare Solar Farm, located 35km west of Ayr in northern Queensland.
The PPA will run for 13 years from the commencement of operations until December 2030.
FRV will commence construction on the 300-hectare site later in 2016, with operations expected to commence in 2017.
Origin has also secured an option to develop a further 35 MW of capacity. The deal follows the signing of a 15-year PPA with FRV for the solar power generated by the 56 MW Moree Solar Farm in northern NSW in March.
The project received the green light in late 2015, after being in planning limbo.
Key project details:
- Located in Clare, 35km west of Ayr in northern Queensland
- Capacity: 100 MW, with option to develop a further 35 MW
- 300 hectare site, currently sugarcane farming
- Approved by Queensland Government in October 2015 To be built, operated and maintained by FRV
- Expected operation in 2017
- Power purchase agreement to December 2030
- Annual production: around 260 gigawatt hours
- Connection: 132 kV connection to the existing Clare South substation
