The Banksia Solar Project is located 11 km east of Childers and will produce clean and affordable electricity for the Bundaberg Region, Queensland. The site will cover 210 hectares of private land which will be actively managed to support biodiversity and soil stability.
This 72-megawatt project is expected to have over 150,000 solar panels and will produce reliable, sustainable energy to power approximately 20,000 homes. In addition, it’ll create jobs and economic opportunities in the local area during both the construction and operation phases.
The Banksia Solar Project will generate clean energy for over 30 years, after which updated panels and equipment can be switched in or all equipment removed to leave the land substantially as it was.
The developer of Banksia is Venn Artibir Group PTY Ltd (VA), a joint venture with Venn Energy, a Canadian renewable energy development company, and Artibir Energy, a Turkish investment company.
In March 2019, Venn Energy and Artibir Energy launched a long-term strategic partnership to develop over 1 GW of renewable energy projects in Australia, including solar, wind, and energy storage.
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The Banksia Solar Project is a 72 MW project located in Bundaberg in Queensland. The design considers the potential use of bi-facial solar panels to maximise the system’s efficiency and output. The project has been developed by Venn Artibir Group PTY Ltd (VA), with the collaboration of experienced local industry professionals, consultants, and partners.
The project is part of Queensland’s transition to a clean energy grid. By delivering high-quality renewable energy, corporate energy procurement demands will be fulfilled, promoting industrial development and creating job opportunities.
VA and their Australian partners selected the site for the Banksia Solar project because of its naturally flat terrain, high levels of solar irradiation, and its strategic location adjacent to an existing Ergon Energy 132 kV substation.
The site is located on 210 hectares of semi-cleared land used primarily for grazing.
The VA team wish to thank the landowners, local community, and Bundaberg Regional Council for their support and collaboration throughout the ongoing development of this project.
Venn Energy and Artibir Energy formed the Australian joint venture Venn Artibir Group (VA). VA brings its expertise in project financing, development and operation to play a major role in Australia’s renewable energy sector by creating high-quality assets. Our team collectively has decades of experience in the sector as solar project developers, owners, and operators.
We engaged RPS Group to lead the projects Development Approval process, working with leading local experts in renewable energy in Australia, to deliver high-quality and accurate site assessments to develop our projects in harmony with local environmental and cultural values.
VA is dedicated to delivering renewable energy systems that benefit all stakeholders, including our local communities, landowners, investors, and future generations.
Venn Artibir Group Pty Ltd is led and staffed by a team of experts with vast experience in renewable energy project development. Together we’ve implemented and operated clean energy projects worldwide, contributing significantly to the urgent and necessary global transition to clean and equitable energy.
We establish mutually successful long-term relationships with local partners and project communities. Our close collaboration with local stakeholders at every stage of development is fundamental to our success and our ethos.
The VA team collaborates with reputable local consultants throughout development to ensure the highest standards for all aspects of our projects, in line with all local requirements and international bankability criteria.
The Banksia Solar Project will substantially benefit the Bundaberg community, including reliable and affordable power for local residents and industries.
The project will bring economic benefits to the local community by creating local jobs, contracting opportunities throughout the supply chain, and additional investment opportunities.
Banksia will provide educational and training opportunities for the local community.
“The Queensland Government’s commitment to unlock renewable investment and achieve our renewable energy target of 50% by 2030 is a key mechanism to support our emissions reduction targets.”- Queensland Government.
Banksia has a generation capacity of 72 MW, providing approximately 140,000 MWh annually of clean, zero-emission electricity – enough to power about 20,000 houses across QLD – for at least 30 years.
