ESCO Pacific files for 320 MW of PV in Queensland

Australian utility-scale solar project developer ESCO Pacific said Monday it has submitted development applications for three new solar farms with a combined capacity of 320 MW in the state of Queensland.

ESCO Pacific proposed to build a 85-MW solar farm on flat cattle grazing and cropping land at Isis River, which is expected to be able to generate some 168 GWh of electricity annually. The Bundaberg Regional Council is to consider the application for it by early October.

The biggest project, which envisages installing 125 MW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity at Susan River, is awaiting a decision by the Fraser Coast Regional Council toward the end of October.

By early November 2016, the Townsville City Council is to decide on a 110-MW solar scheme in Rollingstone.

The company is currently holding talks with a number of offtake partners and it is working on securing grid-connection contracts for the three new parks, according to the statement.

In June, ESCO Pacific received planning consent from Townsville City Council for the development of a 135-MW solar farm on a disused mango plantation at Ross River. The output of the AUD-250-million (USD 186.7m/EUR 169.7m) plant is estimated to be enough to meet the annual power needs of approximately 50,000 average households per year. Construction works are due to kick off early in 2017 and conclude within a year.

ESCO Pacific noted that it is on track to achieve its 1,000-MW development goal.

(AUD 1.0 = USD 0.747/EUR 0.679)

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