ACCIONA Energía will provide $90,000 in grant funding to two Gladstone organisations to help house and support vulnerable Central Queenslanders as part of its Aldoga Solar Farm community benefits program.

The funding will support affordable housing initiatives for older women at risk of homelessness as well as essential services for people experiencing hardship across the region.

Community-based housing alliance, The Shelter Collective, is the inaugural recipient of a $50,000 grant funded by ACCIONA Energía’s Aldoga Solar Farm, delivered in partnership with CQUniversity.

The Shelter Collective's Affordable Residential Communities project is transforming the former Hibiscus Gardens aged care facility into housing for older women at risk of homelessness.

Together, The Shelter Collective and CQUniversity will investigate and design renewable energy solutions, including standalone solar and battery systems, to reduce long-term operating costs and create a model for more sustainable community housing.

CQUniversity will join forces with some of its industry partners specialising in solar and battery systems and electrical engineering consulting to deliver this project.

ACCIONA Energía has also awarded $40,000 to the Roseberry Qld Dignity Hub as part of its Aldoga Solar Farm Legacy Investment Program.

The funding will strengthen the Dignity Hub’s ability to provide essential support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing stress or hardship in Gladstone to ensure every person who walks through its doors is met with dignity, care and connection.

The Aldoga Solar Farm’s Legacy Investment Program and Powering Business and Communities Program are part of its annual $120,000 Community Benefit Program, which also includes small grants for community groups.

Together, these projects address both immediate and long-term housing challenges, supporting people experiencing homelessness today while helping create more affordable housing options for the future.

The funding announcement comes as ACCIONA Energia released its 2025 Community Investment Report, highlighting an expansion of its community investment approach to support legacy projects across Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

Analysis and independent benchmarking for the Supporting Our Communities report shows ACCIONA Energía’s community investment exceeded the global average1 for organisations in the Business for Societal Impact (B4SI) network for the second consecutive year.

Specifically, ACCIONA Energía Australia invested 1.05% of its revenue back into the community in 2025 - well above the average of 0.15% for B4SI global members of the B4SI network.

Gavin Reymond, Managing Director at ACCIONA Energía in Australia, said:

“We understand there are many people in Gladstone doing it tough with housing affordability and the cost-of-living. Through our Community Benefit Program, we want to support projects that not only provide immediate assistance to vulnerable people but also create long-term solutions.”

“Each year, we conduct independent benchmarking to provide transparency and help us measure and improve the impact of our community partnerships. We’re committed to listening and responding to community priorities so we can help create a lasting legacy for the regions that host our renewable energy projects.”

The Shelter Collective Chair, David Grenfell OAM, said:

“The Shelter Collective is focused on finding innovative ways to ease cost-of-living pressures for people experiencing homelessness and financial stress. Our Gladstone project will eventually provide homes for more than 65 people, and this renewable energy solution will help reduce electricity costs for both our charity and the people we support.”

CQUniversity Associate Professor Sanath Alahakoon, said:

“What we are witnessing today through the first award of the Aldoga Solar Farm Powering Business and Communities Program is the outcome of a long-standing partnership with ACCIONA Energía, which began when the company first came to our region around eight years ago.

“CQUniversity is proud to be a partner in this important initiative, which supports the energy transition while delivering tangible benefits to local businesses and communities. We are delighted to lead this project, which will also provide valuable training opportunities for an electrical engineering undergraduate. The student will receive research and professional mentorship from CQUniversity researchers, alongside guidance from our industry partners with expertise in solar and battery systems, as well as electrical engineering consultancy. ”

Roseberry Qld CEO, Jo Paringatai, said:

“This legacy investment is a powerful commitment to dignity, opportunity and support. At a time of unprecedented demand, it will help our Dignity Hub continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people across our community”.