Edify Energy has achieved financial close for the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations, marking Australia’s largest solar and battery hybrid projects currently under construction.
The projects will combine large-scale solar generation with battery storage and are backed by a domestic and international lending consortium along with long-term investment support from La Caisse.
Located in Central Queensland on the traditional lands of the Gaangalu Nation People, the developments will deliver a combined 720MWp of solar capacity and 600MW / 2,400MWh of battery storage.
A key component of the project structure is a 20-year hybrid energy services agreement with Rio Tinto. Under the agreement, Rio Tinto will offtake approximately 90% of the solar and battery capacity to supply its Gladstone aluminium operations with lower-carbon, firmed electricity.
The arrangement is amongst the largest renewable energy offtake deals in Australia’s industrial sector and highlights growing demand for firmed renewables in heavy industry decarbonisation.
Construction of the projects is expected to generate up to 800 jobs at peak, alongside apprenticeships, training opportunities, and broader local procurement initiatives supporting suppliers across regional Queensland, including the Banana Shire.
A long-term community benefits program spanning more than 35 years will also be implemented, aimed at delivering sustained regional investment and support for local development.
The projects have also received backing under the Australian Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme, which supports large-scale renewable energy developments aimed at strengthening grid reliability and accelerating the country’s clean energy transition.
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