Renewable energy projects are attracting global attention as momentum for climate action continues to gather. A focal point of this action is the ‘net zero emissions’ target: an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere. While there are many ways to achieve this target, renewable resources can provide a diverse supply of energy which will help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Three of the most recognisable natural sources are wind energy, solar energy and hydropower. Although Australia is a nation rich with these renewable resources, the Climate Council warns that the country is being left behind in the ‘new, clean economy race’. US President Biden made the climate emergency a top priority for his government, calling on all of the world’s major economies to join him in bold action. As a result, there is increasing pressure on Australia to take tougher emissions reduction targets or risk a de facto carbon tax from our trading partners.

So, what is Australia doing about renewable energy? Here are some of the most notable renewable energy projects around Australia in 2021.

 

Asian Renewable Energy Hub, Western Australia

BCI Project ID	131794017
Name	ASIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY HUB
Type	WIND & SOLAR HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY HUB
Location	Approximately 220 km east of Port Hedland & 270 km southwest of Broome northwest of WA
Value	AU$22 billion approximate
Stage	Design & Documentation
Status	Enquire about the status of this project.
Expected construction start date	Q1 2026
Contact roles appointed	17 currently listed. Enquire about who is working on this project.

As of 28 April 2021.

Located in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, the Asian Renewable Energy Hub proposes to build up to 15 000 MW of new wind and solar power. The project, which will host 1743 wind turbines and 17 million solar panels, is being developed by a consortium of global energy leaders including InterContinental Energy, CWP Energy Asia and Vestas.

The hub is expected to transform the Pilbara by creating more than 20 000 direct and indirect jobs throughout its 10-year-construction project. Not only would the project be Australia’s largest energy development, but it would rank amongst the world’s largest energy developments as well.

 

Sun Cable Project, Northern Territory

BCI Project ID	177243017
Name	SUN CABLE – BARKLY SOLAR
Type	SOLAR FARM | BATTERY STORAGE
Location	Barkly Region near Tennant Creek NT
Value	AU$22 billion
Stage	Design & Documentation
Status	Enquire about the status of this project.
Expected construction start date	Q4 2023
Contact roles appointed	7 currently listed. Enquire about who is working on this project.

As of 28 April 2021.

Sun Cable is set to develop a AU$22 billion renewable energy project in the Northern Territory’s Barkly region. Unlocking potential for a green manufacturing hub in Darwin, the 10 000 MW solar farm will support a 30 GW/h battery storage facility and create 1500 jobs during its construction.

The project will not only supply power to Darwin but to Singapore as well via a high-voltage direct-current transmission network; this will feature a 3750 km submarine cable from Darwin to Singapore, via Indonesia.

 

Goyder South Project, South Australia

BCI Project ID	184657017
Name	GOYDER SOUTH PROJECT
Type	WIND FARM | SOLAR FARMS | BATTERY STORAGE
Location	Within mid-north of Burra, SA 5417
Stage	Design & Documentation
Status	Enquire about the status of this project.
Expected construction start date	Q2 2022
Contact roles appointed	3 currently listed. Enquire about who is working on this project.

As of 28 April 2021.

The Goyder South Project, located in the Goyder region of South Australia, is a large-scale hybrid renewable energy project. Developed by French renewable group Neoen, Goyder South will include up to 1200 MW of wind generation, 600 MW of solar power and 900 MW of battery energy storage.

With construction expected to start in the second half of 2022, the project will not only provide a significant boost to the South Australian economy but will also support the state in reaching its goal of net 100 per cent renewables by 2030.

 

Clarke Creek Wind and Solar Farm Project, Queensland

BCI Project ID	125944017
Name	CLARKE CREEK WIND AND SOLAR FARM PROJECT
Type	WIND FARM| SOLAR FARM | BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE
Location	Marlborough Sarina Rd, 150 km S of Mackay & 150 km NW of Rockhampton QLD 4740
Value	AU$1.6 billion approximate
Stage	Design & Documentation
Status	Enquire about the status of this project.
Expected construction start date	Q4 2022
Contact roles appointed	12 currently listed. Enquire about who is working on this project.

As of 28 April 2021.

Located 150 km northwest of Rockhampton and 150 km south of Mackay in Queensland, the Clarke Creek Wind and Solar Farm Project is set to provide up to 1200 MW of renewable energy. Developed by Lacour Energy, the project will feature 195 turbines generating 800 MW of wind power, while the solar farm will create 400 MW of energy.

The Clarke Creek Wind Farm will produce sufficient electricity to power approximately 590 000 Queensland homes and will meet four per cent of the state’s electricity needs.

 

Walcha Energy Project, New South Wales

BCI Project ID	160619017
Name	WALCHA ENERGY PROJECT
Type	WIND FARM| SOLAR FARM | PUMP HYDRO STORAGE | DAM
Location	30km – 55 km S of Armidale, New England Tableland & Dungowan Dam Rd Ogunbil NSW 2350
Value	AU$1 billion approximate
Stage	Design & Documentation
Status	Enquire about the status of this project.
Expected construction start date	Q4 2021
Contact roles appointed	9 currently listed. Enquire about who is working on this project.

As of 28 April 2021.

The Walcha Energy Project combines solar and wind energy with pumped hydro storage to offer a source of renewable energy to the state of New South Wales. Situated around the town of Walcha, located in the New England tablelands, the project could generate about 15 per cent of NSW’s energy requirements.

Some features of this project include 700 MW of wind power from up to 125 turbines, 600 MW of solar energy, and hydropower to be sourced from the Dungowan Dam. Developed by Energy Estate, the Walcha Energy Project will contribute to NSW’s aim to increase the share of renewable energy in the state from about 16 per cent to more than 60 per cent by 2030.

 

Gippsland Renewable Energy Park, Victoria

BCI Project ID	185202017
Name	GIPPSLAND RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK
Type	SOLAR FARM | BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM
Location	1775 Bengworden Rd Perry Bridge VIC 3862
Value	AU$2.6 billion approximate
Stage	Design & Documentation
Status	Enquire about the status of this project.
Contact roles appointed	2 currently listed. Enquire about who is working on this project.

As of 28 April 2021.

Located in the Giffard area in southeast Victoria, the Gippsland Renewable Energy Park project will be a fully integrated renewable energy hub. As part of Project Repowering Gippsland, Solis RE is developing a 550 MW solar farm which will be supported by 50 MW/h of battery storage.

The AU$2.6 billion project will assist the Victorian government in meeting its target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. The state is well positioned to achieve this goal with Australia’s first offshore wind project, Star of the South, proposed to be located off the south coast of Gippsland.

 

Jim’s Plain Renewable Energy Park, Tasmania

BCI Project ID	125661017
Name	JIMS PLAIN RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK
Type	WIND FARM | SOLAR FARM
Location	Montagu Rd 176467/1, 142621/1, 124651/11, 124651/13, 124651/14, 126961/12, 126961/20 & 124651/101 & 300, 433, 456, Little Harcus Rd West Montagu TAS 7330
Value	AU$1.6 billion approximate
Stage	Design & Documentation
Status	Enquire about the status of this project.
Expected construction start date	Q4 2021
Contact roles appointed	20 currently listed. Enquire about who is working on this project.

As of 28 April 2021.

Combining wind energy generation with solar generation, UPC Renewables and AC Energy are developing a renewable energy project in Tasmania’s northwest. Jim’s Plain Renewable Energy Park will feature a 240 MW wind farm with up to 31 wind turbines and a 40 MW solar farm. In addition, Jim’s Plain is to be connected to a broader transmission network by an overhead transmission line, extending from Robbins Island to Hampshire.

The energy hub will contribute to the state’s efforts to double its renewable energy production after Tasmania met its goal to be fully self-sufficient on green energy two years ahead of schedule.

 

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