North-West Queensland businesses have the chance to get involved with the world’s first integrated 50MW solar hybrid baseload power plant.
The project, being jointly developed by Vast Solar and Stanwell Corporation, is using ICN Gateway to call for expressions of interest in their North West Queensland Hybrid Power Project (NWQHPP).
The project combines Vast Solar’s modular tower concentrating solar thermal power technology with photovoltaic (PV), battery and gas engine generators. It will deliver low cost, reliable, clean energy to the Mount Isa region.
When completed, it will be the largest hybrid generator and the first utility-scale concentrated solar power plant built in Australia.
In a press release from Vast Solar, CEO Craig Wood said the project was calling for expressions of interest from contractors across a range of workstreams.
“We are looking forward to hearing from a range of contractors who will be critical in bringing this project to life,” Mr Wood said.
“Building the plant will require collaboration between local, regional and national experts from a range of fields, and will involve hundreds of workers from Mount Isa and the surrounding area.”
“Vast Solar has been engaging local contractors to deliver various services at the proposed project site since July 2020, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to providing local employment opportunities.”
“We’re ensuring the project is developed in conjunction with local contractors and government wherever possible.”
According to the project website, Mount Isa’s favourable solar conditions make it an ideal location for a solar hybrid power plant.
The NWQHPP power plant, 10 km west of Mt Isa, will be linked to the North-West Power System by a new 220kV high voltage transmission line.
The plant will include:
- Vast Solar’s modular tower CSP technology linked to a 56MW steam turbine via a 14.5-hour molten salt thermal storage system
- 80MW PV with single-axis tracking
- an integrated 52MW / 15MWh battery energy storage system
- 57MW of gas-powered reciprocating engines.
In announcing the call for EOIs, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the proposed project “will align to the Palaszczuk Government’s Buy Queensland procurement approach, meeting the highest standards around local content, local workforce and decent wages and conditions”.
“It will demonstrate how renewables can provide continuous energy to power large industrial and resource businesses in the North West because that ultimately means more Queensland jobs.
The project brings a range of benefits to North-West Queensland:
- cheaper energy, low-risk power generation, long-term certainty on energy prices and elimination of 85% greenhouse gas emissions.
- hundreds of direct and indirect jobs leading to the growth of the North West Minerals Province
- $1.6 billion of benefits and high-tech manufacturing and engineering jobs.
ICN consultant Nimmi Pushparajan said ICN Gateway would provide Information on specific supply opportunities as it becomes available, with local industry able to register its interest against them.
“If you are interested in the project, it’s important to make sure you register for updates, and your company details are current.”
For more information, go to the North West Queensland Hybrid Power Project Gateway page.