Hopeland Solar

Supporting the energy transition

Hopeland Solar project is a proposed large-scale grid connected solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) contributing to Australia’s energy mix, generating enough electricity to power around 100,000 average-sized homes.

Located between Dalby and Chinchilla near the existing transmission line, Western Downs Substation, and the Western Downs Green Power Hub, the project will be the next step in increasing reliable, affordable power for Queensland.

The project contributes to the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan targets of 70% of electricity consumption to be sourced from renewables by 2032, and 80% by 2035.

Have your say on local benefits and impacts

We are seeking your feedback to inform our development of a community benefit and legacy program for the Hopeland Solar Project. This is part of the voluntary social impact study underway. The survey will be live until 15 August 2026.

Scan the QR code here to share your views about possible impacts and benefits, your priorities for managing change, and your views about local community needs.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Thank you for your participation!

Fun at the markets

Thanks to all those who visited the Hopeland Solar team at local country markets in July.

We met with many locals and visitors at the Dalby and Chinchilla market, answering many questions and providing more information about our progress towards construction.

EPBC approval received

The proposed Hopeland solar and BESS project was approved in May 2026 by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) under the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

In accordance with section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act, public comments were invited on the Preliminary Documentation, for a period of 10 days from Tuesday 27 January 2026 until Tuesday 10 February 2026. We received one submission and updated the Preliminary Documentation accordingly.

You can find these documents at the link below.

Environmental approvals

Project by numbers

250

MWac solar array (up to)

100,000

Number of Australian homes for which the solar farm will generate power

652ha

Total site area

224ha

Sensitive vegetation and cultural heritage areas to be preserved

452ha

Total developable area for energy infrastructure

16ha

Will be excluded from development to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage

Here for the long term

As part of a large group of Australasian engineering companies, Pacific Partnerships develops, invests in and manages infrastructure and energy assets.

Pacific Partnerships owns the Hopeland Solar project and will partner with fellow CIMIC Group member UGL to construct, operate and maintain the project. Construction is anticipated to start in 2027.

The project features a utility scale solar array of up to 250MWac solar array, a battery storage system and associated infrastructure and works.

Partnering with Western Downs communities

Pacific Partnerships is committed to building the local energy industry and ensuring our presence in the Western Downs contributes positively to local communities and businesses.

We want to help create jobs, grow interest in the clean energy industry, support local organisations to care for their communities and share benefit locally.

During construction and operation, employment and contracting opportunities will be available for Western Downs contractors, suppliers and businesses.