Our project

Hopeland Solar project, located between Dalby and Chinchilla, will be a utility-scale grid-connected solar farm contributing to Australia’s energy mix, generating enough electricity to power around 100,000 average-sized homes.

The project is expected to create ~300 employment opportunities during construction, including an anticipated ~50 local jobs, with ongoing jobs during operation and maintenance of the solar farm. 

Pacific Partnerships has secured Development Approval for the solar farm and is currently finalising the necessary environmental assessments and plans. This includes rigorous environmental impact assessment under Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) guidelines, with approval expected in early 2026. 

Pacific Partnerships has also established good relationships with representatives of the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Barunggam People and as a commitment to this relationship, has entered into a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement (CHMA). 

Construction is anticipated to start in the second half of 2006 for a duration of approximately two years. Operations and energy generation is expected to commence in 2028. 

About us

About us

Pacific Partnerships acquired the Hopeland development rights in 2023 from Renewable Energy Partners, a Brisbane-based originator and developer of Australian large-scale renewable projects. Construction is anticipated to start in the second half of 2026. Click the button below to read more in our project fact sheet.

Project fact sheet
FAQs

FAQs

We know that projects can result in questions from the community, and we would like to address any topics around the project and its impacts here.

Read more here
Environment and approvals

Environment and approvals

Development Approval was granted by Western Downs Regional Council (WDRC) in September 2017, with our most recent amendment granted in March 2025 to include the Hopeland BESS. This approval included approval by all relevant State Assessment Referral Agencies (SARA) including all state environmental and EPA related approvals. The site is zoned as Rural under the WDRC Planning Scheme (2019). The project area and surrounding areas are largely used for agriculture, heavy industry and mining, with Kogan Creek coal mine located 5km to the east. See our most recent Development Application here.

Throughout the early design phase, the team has worked hard to avoid, mitigate and minimise impact. We are currently applying for environmental approval under the EPBC Act, and have submitted assessment documentation for review and will keep you updated on progress. Please read more here. 

Environment Fact Sheet
First Nations people

First Nations people

As part of our commitment to achieve excellence in Aboriginal cultural heritage, we conducted cultural heritage surveys and engaged with representatives of the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Barunggam People. This has been underway since 2022, to understand the site’s cultural significance and preserve cultural heritage within the site.

The project entered a Cultural Heritage Management Agreement, involving a detailed site assessment and survey to enhance our understanding of the country and agree on mitigation measures. We have established a number of exclusion zones on the site for the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Engagement with the Barunggam People will continue throughout delivery and operation.