The site of a new 50 megawatt solar farm near Kidston in Far North Queensland has been cleared, ready for the installation process to begin.
Genex is developing the $126 million, 50 megawatt solar project on a former gold mine site, 270 km northwest of Townsville.
Genex managing director Michael Addison said the project continued to perform to budget.
The first delivery of solar thin-film solar modules and NEXTracker components have been made to site.
Most of the Ergon switchyard equipment has been installed and equipment earthing is underway.
The solar farm substation earth-grid has also been installed.
“Kidston is now a hive of activity with 65 people employed on site,” Mr Addison said.
“The outlook for wholesale electricity and Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) remains robust which underpins the potential to deliver strong cash flows to Genex.”
Executive director Simon Kidston, who will speak at the North Queensland Mining and Resources Industry Forum in Townsville on June 7, said Genex was finalising funding arrangements to deliver a 250MW pumped storage hydro project and an integrated 270MW solar project.
“Stage 1 of the Kidston solar project is positioning Genex in good stead for stage 2 of the project which will bring an additional 500 jobs to the region,” Mr Kidston said.
Genex said the project was on time and budget for first generation in late 2017 and practical completion in early 2018.
