Iberdrola Australia, a subsidiary of the global utility leader Iberdrola has signed solar PPAs with 13 regional councils in New South Wales. Under these agreements, a portion of the energy will be sourced from a large-scale solar PV power plant.
Iberdrola to Supply 390 GWh Renewable Energy to Councils
Under the solar PPA, Iberdrola Australia will provide the 13 councils with over 390 GWh of renewable energy. This energy will be generated from the 245 MW Avonlie solar PV project, along with Iberdrola’s Capital and Bodangora wind farms.
The Regional Councils NSW solar PPA initiative was coordinated by the Hunter Joint Organisation and the Mid North Coast Joint Organisation with support from advisors Sourced Energy, Regional Procurement, Procure Group and Baker Mackenzie. Financial backing was provided by the New South Wales government.
Solar PPA to Power 163 Council Sites Across NSW
A statement indicated that energy from the solar PPA would supply 163 large council sites and street lighting. Several councils such as Maitland, MidCoast, Muswellbrook and Bellingen chose to source 100% renewable energy through the agreement.
By choosing 100% renewable energy, Bellingen Shire Council is set to avoid an estimated 5,705 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (t/CO2e) over the six-year agreement. This reduction is comparable to the emissions generated by 396 cars over the same period.
Additional councils that signed a solar PPA with Iberdrola include Upper Hunter, Singleton, Port Stephens, Leeton, Edward River and Murray River. Each council’s solar PPA will span six years, ending in 2030.
“This significant milestone will help our Council meet its 2030 emission reduction target five years ahead of schedule. By securing 100% renewable electricity, we are not only achieving environmental goals but also ensuring budget stability through to 2030. This accomplishment showcases what councils can achieve through collaboration, and we extend our gratitude to the Hunter Joint Organisation, Mid North Coast Joint Organisation, and our advisory team for their support in making this possible.” said Mark Griffioen, Council’s General Manager.
Iberdrola's Avonlie Solar Project Generates 500 GWh Annually
Iberdrola Australia purchased the 245 MW Avonlie solar PV project from developer RES in 2021, beginning construction that same year. The project became operational in 2022 and now produces around 500 GWh of renewable energy annually.
Recently, Iberdrola Australia began construction on a 376 MW solar-plus-storage project in Queensland, which includes a planned 180 MW/260 MWh co-located battery energy storage system (BESS).