BayWa r.e. sells its first Australian solar plant

BayWa r.e., a global renewable energy developer, wholesaler and energy solutions provider, has sold the 20 MWp Hughenden solar plant to Australian infrastructure investment specialist Lighthouse Infrastructure.

The plant, located in Hughenden, Queensland, is one of BayWa r.e.’s first solar projects in Australia. With construction now underway, the installation is being funded through a 13-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with one of Australia’s leading energy retailers.

“The sale of our first Australian solar project, so soon after entering the market, is testament to our growing success in the region and the strength of Australia’s rapidly expanding solar sector and desire to reduce high electricity prices through renewables,” said Matthias Taft, a board member of BayWa r.e. parent company BayWa AG.

“We are very pleased to be working with Lighthouse Infrastructure. The company has a clear mission to increase solar generation in Australia, which we very much share. We will continue to operate and manage the Hughenden plant following its completion and look forward to a long-lasting relationship with Lighthouse Infrastructure to deliver cleaner energy for Australia.”

This will be the second utility-scale solar PV investment made by Lighthouse Infrastructure and is being viewed by BayWa r.e as a positive sign for its expansion into Australia. The plant is expected to be fully operational by the end of October.

“Australia is a really exciting market for us,” said Daniel Gäfke, managing director of BayWa r.e. Solar. “Given its high levels of sunlight, it’s the ideal home for photovoltaic energy. We first entered the market last year, opening offices in Perth and subsequently in Melbourne. Since then, we’ve been working closely with the industry and government to help unlock the huge potential of renewable energy in Australia.

“We are currently investing in a further three large projects in Northern Victoria and Queensland. These projects, once operational, will have a combined output of just under 280 MW. All three are set to be generating electricity before the end of 2018 and are just the first steps in our expansion into Australia.”