Vena Energy has commenced construction of a 320-megawatt solar power project in Queensland’s Western Downs region, expanding its renewable energy footprint in Australia as part of national efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Wandoan South Solar 2 facility is expected to be operational by mid-2027 and will generate around 700 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity annually—enough to supply approximately 120,000 Queensland households, according to the company.
The project builds on Vena Energy’s existing renewable infrastructure in the region, including the 168MW Wandoan South Solar 1 project, which entered commercial operation in 2024, and Queensland’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) completed in 2022.
“Wandoan South Solar 2 will play a crucial role in Queensland’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, adding significant renewable generation capacity that will help power the state’s future while supporting Australia’s commitment to net zero by 2050,” said Owen Sela, Vena Energy’s head of Australia.
Vena Energy said the project would offset approximately 568,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually and conserve about 490 million litres of water compared to traditional thermal power generation.
The company has secured a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with CleanCo, a government-owned low-emissions energy supplier. Under the agreement, CleanCo will provide renewable electricity from the new facility to some of Queensland’s largest employers.
“With construction now getting underway, the solar farm will soon be delivering real benefits for the Western Downs and beyond,” said CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe. “CleanCo is uniquely positioned as the state’s only pumped hydro operator to store the energy from this project during the day and deliver it to Queenslanders when it’s needed the most.”
The construction phase is expected to employ up to 400 workers at peak, with targeted employment opportunities for local and First Nations communities.
