Broadsound Solar and Battery is an under-construction solar farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Queensland, Australia. The renewable project is being developed by Iberdrola Australia.
The solar facility will have a capacity of 376MW, while the 180MW BESS will be located adjacent to it.
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Iberdrola Australia commenced construction works for the facility in early 2024 following the completion of environmental surveys, technical investigations and feasibility studies. The project has secured Development Approval from Isaac Regional Council, the local government council.
It is expected to become operational in mid-2026.
Once operational, the project will support Queensland Government’s plan to achieve an economic decarbonisation target of 80% renewable energy by 2035.
Broadsound Solar Farm Location
The Broadsound Solar Farm is located at Clarke Creek, around 150km north-west from Rockhampton and approximately 50km from Lotus Creek Wind Farm. The farm will be on Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala People land in Central Queensland’s Renewable Energy Zone.
The site includes an approximately 2,100-acre area predominantly comprising of cleared cattle grazing land.
This is Iberdrola’s first project in Queensland. The company already has 1.7GW of operational energy assets in Australia.
Broadsound Solar Farm Details
The 376MW(dc) Broadsound Solar Farm will feature around 645,000 solar modules installed across an area of around 900 hectares.
Other infrastructure will include solar trackers, medium voltage power stations, underground cabling, a step-up substation, an overhead evacuation line, associated operation and maintenance buildings, site access and maintenance tracks, and security fencing.
The solar panels will be mounted on tracker mounted arrays placed in parallel rows. The design will ensure optimised use of the productive area for solar power generation.
Once complete, the solar farm will produce around 810GWh of renewable electricity annually, enough to power 145,000 homes.
It will be connected to electricity transmission system operator Powerlink’s existing Broadsound substation through which the electricity will be fed into the National Electricity Network (NEM). A new 275kV overhead power line will be installed to supply renewable power to the NEM.
The project will create around 350 jobs during the construction period. A temporary construction camp will be developed to accommodate construction workers.
The farm will also create five long term operational roles.
Works at the site will include creating new entrances on Marlborough Sarina Road and access tracks inside the project area for construction and operational activities.
The project will entail an investment of around A$500m ($326.14m).
Broadsound Battery, adjacent to the solar farm substation, will deliver around 360MWh of electricity during peak demand periods. This is enough to power 25,000 houses annually.
The solar project is expected to have an operational life of 25+ years.
Sustainability Initiatives and Local Benefits
Along with the project works, several sustainability initiatives will also be undertaken including regeneration of local creeks, ground cover and soil health improvement works, and cycad research project.
The development of the solar farm is expected to bring more investment in Isaac and Livingstone Regional Councils.
The project will also involve using local products and services, and create employment during construction and operational stages.
Contractors Involved
Yurika, a part of government owned electricity company Energy Queensland, will work on Broadsound Solar Farm and Battery in collaboration with Iberdrola Australia.
As agreed, Yurika will be responsible for substation EPC works. The scope includes the design and construction of a 275/33kV multiple bay substation, control buildings, and harmonic filter bays, as well as the delivery of 275kV overhead powerlines, civil works, SCADA systems among others.
The company will also supply the transformers and switchgear and integrate the substation into the National Electricity Market via a 275kV overhead powerline from Powerlink Broadsound substation.
