Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) will build its first large-scale solar farm in Queensland, Australia, as part of its plan to expand into power generation, according to Bloomberg.
The company has said it aims to become the world’s top electricity producer by 2030. The 120 megawatt (MW), 400,000-panel solar farm is expected to be completed by early 2021.
The solar farm’s location at Wandoan, about 250 miles west of Brisbane, was selected “due to its natural advantages for solar generation,” as well as its close proximity to existing power infrastructure and the QCG facility, Shell said.
“We believe solar will play an increasing role in the global energy system, especially when partnered with a reliable energy source such as gas,” said Shell Australia Chairman Tony Nunan in a statement.
The facility will indirectly supply the company’s QGC liquefied natural gas export facility, reducing that project’s carbon footprint.
Last year, the company announced a deal to buy ERM Power Ltd., the second largest electricity retailer to commercial and industry customers in Australia. It also bought a 49% stake in Australian solar developer ESCO Pacific.