Lightsource BP said it expects to reach financial close on its 400MW (dc) Wellington North and 90MW (dc) Wunghnu solar projects later this year.
Lightsource BP has commenced construction on Wellington North and Wunghnu through early work arrangements with engineering, procurement, and construction contractor Gransolar and recently entered into PPAs with Engie, Orica and Mars Australia.
Lightsource BP has five projects in operation and under construction across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, totalling over 1GW of generating capacity.
Its West Wyalong and Woolooga Solar Farms are in advanced stages of construction and are due to be completed by the end of 2022, and its Wellington North and Wunghnu Solar Farms have begun early stages of construction and are due to be completed in 2024.
Its 200MW Wellington Solar Farm is now operational and is exporting power to the grid.
Adam Pegg, Managing Director, Lightsource BP Australia and New Zealand, said: “Since entering the Australian market just four years ago our business has grown rapidly in Australia and the region.
“We have a significant pipeline of large-scale solar projects underway, with more to come.
“This growth has been enabled by the strong support from our customers, lenders, and the local communities in which we operate, and we are extremely grateful for this backing and are proud to be front and centre in the clean energy transition in Australia.
“In addition to our solar ambitions, we are actively exploring other investment opportunities in the sector, and believe the hybridisation of renewables to complement solar – including battery storage, co-location of wind and integration with green hydrogen production – will be increasingly important to the future energy mix and in driving the energy transition.”
Lightsource bp’s total operational and planned projects in Australia and New Zealand now consists of over 4GW of generating capacity.
Christopher Davis, Orica Chief Financial and Sustainability Officer, added: “We’re proud to be partnering with Lightsource BP on this exciting project to accelerate our transition to renewable electricity. By prioritising offsite renewable generation projects, we are spurring growth and jobs in the industry, while achieving our own sustainability goals.”