Australia-based Edify Energy has achieved financial close for its massive Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap renewable energy projects in Central Queensland, marking a major milestone in the country’s clean energy transition. The hybrid developments are being described as the largest solar and battery storage projects currently under construction in Australia and are expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the national renewable energy network.
The two neighbouring projects will together deliver around 720MWp of solar generation capacity along with a 600MW / 2,400MWh battery energy storage system. Located near Biloela in Queensland, the projects are designed using advanced DC-coupled hybrid technology and grid-forming inverters to improve grid stability and energy reliability. The company said the facilities will support Australia’s growing demand for dispatchable renewable power as older thermal power stations continue to retire.
Edify Energy confirmed that the projects have secured support from a syndicate of 14 domestic and international lenders under what has been described as a first-of-its-kind greenfield renewable energy financing platform in Australia. The financing package has also received strong backing from Canadian investment group La Caisse, which acquired Edify Energy in a billion-dollar deal. The new funding model is expected to create a scalable pathway for future renewable infrastructure projects across the country.
Mining giant Rio Tinto has signed long-term agreements to purchase nearly 90% of the electricity and battery storage capacity generated by the projects over the next 20 years. The clean energy supplied from Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap will help power Rio Tinto’s aluminium operations in Gladstone, supporting the company’s broader decarbonisation strategy and reducing reliance on coal-based electricity generation.
Construction activities for the projects have already started, with DT Infrastructure appointed as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor. According to reports, the development phase is expected to generate up to 800 jobs during peak construction while also boosting local procurement opportunities and supporting regional industries. The projects will additionally include long-term community and First Nations support initiatives as part of the government-backed Capacity Investment Scheme agreements.
Once operational, the hybrid renewable energy facilities are expected to generate nearly 2,500GWh of clean electricity annually, significantly contributing to Australia’s renewable energy targets. Industry experts believe projects like Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap represent the next phase of large-scale renewable infrastructure, combining solar generation with battery storage to deliver stable and reliable green power for industries and households alike.
