European Energy Advances One Of Australia’s Largest Solar Developments With 1.1 GW Approval

European Energy has received planning approval for the Upper Calliope Solar Farm, a large-scale 1.1 gigawatt solar project located near Gladstone in Queensland. This approval significantly reduces development risk and marks an important step in preparing the project for investment and construction. With planning consent now in place, the project can move forward into the next stages of development. These include completing the final project design, progressing grid connection arrangements and preparing for construction.

The approval formally establishes Upper Calliope as a permitted utility-scale solar project in one of Queensland’s most important industrial energy regions. A key strength of the project is its long-term commercial foundation. Upper Calliope is backed by a 25-year power purchase agreement with Rio Tinto, a global mining and materials company. Under this agreement, the entire electricity output of the solar farm is contracted, providing long-term revenue certainty and supporting the project’s overall financial structure.

Catriona McLeod, Vice President and Country Manager for Australia at European Energy, said that securing planning approval allows the company to move confidently into the next phase of development. She noted that Upper Calliope is one of the largest projects European Energy has undertaken so far, and that the team will now focus on advancing the project towards delivery.

The electricity generated by the solar farm is intended to supply Rio Tinto’s operations in Queensland, including aluminium smelting and alumina refining facilities in the Gladstone region. The project’s location is well suited for this purpose, as it is close to existing transmission infrastructure and situated within a long-established industrial load centre. With planning approval secured, Upper Calliope has now entered an advanced stage of development. The remaining steps include finalising grid connection arrangements, completing procurement activities and reaching final investment decisions.

Thorvald Spanggaard, Executive Vice President and Head of Project Development at European Energy, said that the planning approval represents a major milestone that substantially lowers execution risk. He added that, combined with the long-term contracted offtake agreement, the project stands out as a permitted, utility-scale solar asset with clearly defined revenue characteristics and ranks among the largest of its kind.

European Energy continues to develop renewable energy projects across Australia and other global markets. As projects reach advanced development stages, the company evaluates a range of ownership and partnership options. The commercialisation of the Upper Calliope Solar Farm forms part of these broader discussions around potential partnership models.