Naturgy has put into operation two new photovoltaic plants in Australia with a combined power of 360 MW. These are the Glenellen and Bundaberg projects, with which the group increases its installed capacity in the country to 1.3 GW, strengthening its portfolio of renewable assets and its presence in the Australian energy market.
On the one hand, The Glenellen project has a power of 260 MW and becomes the largest photovoltaic plant developed by Naturgy to date in Australia. Located in the state of New South Wales, it occupies an area of 300 hectares and has nearly 373,000 solar modules. The facility will generate around 450 GWh of renewable energy per year, equivalent to the consumption of more than 80,000 homes, and will avoid the emission of around 385,000 tons of CO₂ per year. Glenellellen is also an agrovoltaic plant that combines the generation of renewable energy with agricultural activity, reinforcing Naturgy’s commitment to sustainable energy models that are compatible with the environment. During the operation of the facility, livestock activity has been maintained through sheep grazing.
The first project in Queensland
Besides, Bundaberg Solar Plant marks the landing of Naturgy in the state of Queensland. The installation has a power of 96 MW and more than 162,000 solar modules. Its annual production will reach 200 GWh, enough energy to supply around 36,000 homes. and will avoid the emission of more than 170,000 equivalent tons of CO₂ per year.
The company has ensured the commercialization of the energy generated by both projects through long-term power purchase agreements (PPA), which provides greater visibility of income and reinforces the stability of the business.
15 years of presence in the country
Naturgy considers Australia an attractive market for the international development of renewable energies thanks to its regulatory stability, its high growth potential and its commitment to the energy transition.
The company It has been present in the country for more than 15 years and currently has 1.3 GW in operation, 0.5 GW under construction and a pipeline of 2 GW projects under development, concentrated in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland.
Since its arrival in 2007, Naturgy has contributed to the development of a more sustainable energy mix in Australia through projects that promote renewable generation and promote the economic development of local communities.
The company’s activity in the country is articulated through its subsidiary Global Power Generation (GPG), 75% owned by Naturgy and 25% owned by Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA). GPG manages an installed capacity of more than 5.27 GW spread across eight countries.