en.Wedoany.com Reported - Lightsource bp has officially commenced construction of the Lower Wonga solar-plus-storage hybrid project near Gympie, Queensland, Australia. Combining 380 MWdc of solar capacity, 281 MW of battery capacity, and 843 MWh of battery energy storage, it is one of the largest hybrid solar-plus-storage projects in the country, and will supply power to Rio Tinto's Boyne Island smelter and related refineries in Gladstone.
Adam Pegg, Chief Operating Officer for Lightsource bp in Asia Pacific, stated that the global power industry is entering a new phase, where it is no longer just about building renewable energy generation, but about how solar and storage are now the lowest-cost energy sources to support the growing demands of data centers, industry, and transport electrification. Pegg noted that solar provides the lowest-cost scalable electricity, while battery storage can shift power to peak demand periods, enhancing grid flexibility and reliability.
Lightsource bp had previously begun construction on one of its first hybrid solar-plus-storage projects, a 49 MW/562 MWh long-duration DC-coupled battery energy storage system, which will be integrated with its 585 MWdc Goulburn River Solar Farm near Merriwa, New South Wales. Edify Energy is also building the 600 MW (720 MWdc) and 2,400 MWh Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap hybrid solar-plus-storage projects, which will also supply power to Rio Tinto.
Rio Tinto's agreement with Lightsource bp was announced in March, alongside a A$2 billion package from the state and federal governments to help the mining giant transition from the aging Gladstone coal-fired power station to renewable energy. The coal-fired plant, with an installed capacity of 1,680 MW, was commissioned in 1976 and is scheduled to close in 2029, when Rio Tinto's current power contracts for the Boyne smelter, Yarwun, and Queensland Alumina refineries also expire. Rio Tinto is investing A$7.2 billion to shift its Gladstone facilities from coal power to green electricity and will offtake 40% of the output from the Lower Wonga project. Additionally, Rio Tinto has signed offtake agreements with the adjacent Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap hybrid projects, the 1.4 GW Bungaban wind farm, and the 1.1 GW Upper Calliope solar farm.
Rio Tinto stated that the Gladstone smelter directly employs approximately 1,000 people and is Queensland's largest single energy user, making it difficult to remain economically competitive in the global decarbonization market, and thus powering it with renewable energy is its only option. Mining companies such as Fortescue are advancing several gigawatt-scale large wind, solar, and battery storage projects, driving Australia's new renewable energy project pipeline. Data centers may also become a key source of demand for new projects, with US giant Iren announcing plans to build an 800 MW facility in South Australia, which is expected to sign power purchase agreements with wind and solar projects.
Lightsource bp describes Lower Wonga as "one of the most significant hybrid renewable energy developments" in its global portfolio. The project has received support from the Australian government's Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), and a joint venture between Intel Energy Solutions and Gotion Hi-Tech Australia has been appointed as the engineering, procurement, and construction partner. The project is expected to support approximately 400-500 jobs and bring opportunities for local businesses, contractors, and suppliers, with operations planned to commence by the end of 2028.
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