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- First Nations enterprises to play key roles in renewable energy transition.
GLADSTONE, Queensland – ACCIONA Energía will work with First Nations businesses to procure services, equipment and workforce for the planned Aldoga Solar Farm.
Speaking at the inaugural First Nations Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) 2023 Summit in Gladstone today, ACCIONA Energía outlined how Indigenous enterprises can get involved in supplying the project.
“Australia’s transition to renewables is a once in a lifetime opportunity for residents in regional areas. As a business that develops and operates renewable energy assets on Country, the ongoing engagement and sharing of opportunity with First Nations people is a key priority for us, not just to achieve and retain our licence to operate, but also to act in line with our approach to planet-positive development,” said ACCIONA Energía Spokesperson Caroline Bommes.
The Aldoga Solar Farm will be located 25km west of Gladstone and have a capacity to generate up to 445MWp of electricity. With a project value up to AUD $450 million it will source between $170-190 million in work from suppliers to deliver the project.
“From electrical fittings, earthworks and building structures to vegetation management, cabling installation and more, the project is an enormous undertaking and needs a broad spectrum of suppliers to make it happen,” said Ms. Bommes.
“ACCIONA Energía's projects source as much work as possible from local businesses so that the benefits are felt directly through the local community.”
The Aldoga Solar Farm will take 18 months to build with a peak workforce of 350 people and create 10 permanent full time operational roles when completed to manage the site.
“The engagement we’ve had with ACCIONA Energía on this project and the opportunities for local First Nations enterprises shows that business is backing First Nations involvement as part of the renewable energy transition,” said FNCCI Chairman Matthew Cooke.
“The role of First Nations people in renewable energy is really exciting. Given so much investment will be made in the Central Queensland Renewable Energy Zone around Rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaberg we want to be meaningfully involved in the energy transition.”
“We hope the Summit shows how Indigenous businesses and Traditional Owners can engage with these projects and leverage the billions of dollars that are going to be spent around the region between now and 2030.”
The Aldoga Solar Farm will be Economic Development Queensland’s (EDQ) flagship renewable energy project and is part of the Queensland Government’s advancing our cities and regions strategy, which aims to renew and repurpose underutilised state land to generate jobs and drive economic growth.