The Croydon Solar Farm and BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) will play a key role in Queensland’s clean energy transition, securing reliable and affordable power for Queenslanders. By adding more renewable energy to the power network, the project will reduce energy loss and make supply more reliable, preventing blackouts in times of high demand.
Located adjacent Marlborough-Sarina Road at Lotus Creek, the site is about 170 kilometres south of the regional centre of Mackay, and 840 kilometres north of Brisbane. With a capacity of 750 MW dc solar generation and 500 MW (2,000 MW/h) storage, it will be one of the state’s largest projects of its kind.
A switching station and connection asset, including a control room, will also be located on the site to support the project. The project is set to be located on the north-west corner of the land, with the remainder of the property continuing to be used for agriculture.
The Croydon Solar Farm and BESS will also strengthen the power network in the Isaac Region by generating and storing energy and discharging in periods of high demand, helping maximise utilisation of the network. It will defer the need for expensive transmission upgrades and avoid an increase in network charges.
With up to 200 jobs created during construction and eight full-time jobs once operational, the Croydon Solar Farm and BESS will bring economic benefits to broader Isaac region.
