Bulli Creek Solar Farm

Project Overview

The Bulli Creek Solar Farm site is located in Bulli Creek, Queensland, Australia, approximately 140 km south west of Toowoomba and 35 km west of Millmerran. The northern boundary of the site is located 5 km south from the existing 330 kV Bulli Creek substation.

Due to its size, the proposed project will be developed in stages up to a total of 1200 megawatt (MW)*. The proposed project will be powered by approximately 3 million First Solar thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules and produce enough solar energy to serve the needs of approximately 467,000 average Queensland homes. This will displace more than 2.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year - the equivalent of taking about 510,000 cars off the road. 

The proposed Bulli Creek Solar Farm will provide significant economic and environmental benefits, in addition to creating direct and indirect jobs and developing skills in a growing industry, and supporting small businesses.

It also supports the Queensland Government in achieving 50 per cent of its energy from renewable resources by 2030, while further establishing regional Queensland as a leader in renewable energy.

Project Timeline

• Application to Toowoomba Council for Development Approval – Complete
• EPBC – Approval Complete
• Submission of Network Connection application – Complete
• Grid Connection Offer Expected – Q3/2019
• Construction period commences – Q4/2019 (stage 1)
• Construction complete – Q4/2020 (stage 1)
• Commercial Operation – Q1/2021 (stage 1)

Community

First Solar is committed to the communities in which it operates, including the Toowomba region. We will always engage neighbours, community groups, environmental groups and business organisations to ensure that Bulli Creek Solar Farm remains a valued and respected member of community.

The Bulli Creek Solar Farm will support the local and regional economy, creating direct and indirect jobs and developing skills in a growing industry, and supporting small businesses. It will generate approximately 300 construction jobs as well as ongoing full time positions. Wherever possible, First Solar seeks to partner with local businesses and suppliers

Environment

First Solar projects strive to minimise environmental impact while maximizing clean energy output. When in operation, our systems generate electricity with no water use, no air emissions, and no waste production, with the smallest carbon footprint of any PV technology available.

Construction planning for Bulli Creek Solar Farm will include the implementation of appropriate dust control measures and will utilise truck routes chosen to minimise traffic congestion.

Project Benefits

• Assists the Queensland Government to achieve a 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030
• Provides enough clean energy to power 467,000 average homes
• Displaces 2.4 million tons of CO2 emissions annually—equivalent to taking 510,000 cars off the road
• Lowest environmental impact of any PV technology
• No water used for electricity generation
• Significant economic and environmental benefits for regional Queensland
• Increased state and local tax revenues

Contact

Email: BulliSolarFarm@firstsolar.com