Clarke Creek Solar Farm, QLD

Clarke Creek Solar Farm, located 150km north-west of Rockhampton and 150km south of Mackay on the land of the Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala (BKY) peoples, is a proposed 400MW(AC) solar farm located alongside Clarke Creek Wind Farm. The solar project will have the capacity to power the equivalent of 180,000 homes. It also includes battery energy storage.

Key Project Info

Expected capacity

400MW

Planning

Development Application approved

Local Government Area

Isaac Regional Council

180k
320k
400MW

Project Timeline

Step 1/12

Project identification and site selection

Identification and site selection is based on an analysis of opportunities and constraints including (but not limited to): distance to the electricity grid, solar resource and land characteristics. Our team then carries out site visits and consultation with landowners in the area.

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Step 2/12

Project feasibility and community engagement

Site-specific investigations assess the impacts and opportunities of the project and feedback is sought from the local community.

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Step 3/12

Development approval

Development application documentation is prepared which involves a wide range of studies to address stakeholder feedback received to date and to consider the potential environmental and social impacts of the project. Depending on the jurisdiction, this may include a public exhibition and submissions process.

Current Stage
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Step 4/12

Assessment and development consent

The project documents are assessed by the relevant government authorities. If determined, development approval is granted alongside a range of conditions specific to the project.

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Step 5/12

Post approval, contracting and financing

A lead contractor(s) to build the project is appointed and all pre-construction approvals and consents are finalised. During this phase, the lead contractor(s) is provided with a list of local businesses that have registered their interest and capabilities through the project website.

Current Stage
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Step 6/12

Procurement

During this phase our lead contractor(s) seek tenders and engage contractors and suppliers to undertake the scope of the works. Orders are then placed for major components such as the solar panels, mounting system and inverters.

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Step 7/12

Early works and design

Initial site activities start, such as minor clearing and provision of access roads along with establishing a site construction compound. Off-site detailed design works starts in parallel.

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Step 8/12

Major civil works

During this phase of the construction the bulk of the civil works takes place. This includes the construction of new internal access roads, excavation and earthworks (if necessary), installation of the internal electrical reticulation system, construction of the high voltage substation and main transmission line network.

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Step 9/12

Solar equipment installation

This is where the visual aspect of the solar farm starts to appear, with pile driving machines installing the piers and mounting bars onto which the solar panels are then fixed.

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Step 10/12

Commissioning

In order to export power to the grid, each string of panels and inverters is required to undergo several performance tests.

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Step 11/12

Operations

The project operates in accordance with relevant approval conditions and management plans. Compliance with conditions of approval and management plans is monitored as required throughout the life of the project.

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Step 12/12

Decommissioning

The design life of the solar panels is at least 30 years. At the end of their useful life, the solar and electrical equipment will be either replaced and the solar farm repowered, or the project will be decommissioned, and the site returned to its original use at the expense of the project.

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About Squadron Energy

Squadron Energy is Australia’s leading renewable energy company that develops, operates and owns renewable energy assets in Australia. We are 100% Australian owned and have 1.1 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy in operation and 900MW under construction. We are committed to launching 14GW of projects by 2030, powering the equivalent of six million homes.

Contact

Poject Manager

Robert Beattie

Email: clarkecreek2@squadronenergy.com

Mailing Address

PO Box 3155, Broadway Nedlands WA 6009 Australia

Complaints and Issue Contact Point:

Tel: 0402 627 169

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