What’s Happening?
Iberdrola Australia has completed solar module installation at its Broadsound solar and battery project in Central Queensland.
The site is about 60 kilometres northwest of Mackay.
The final solar panels were installed last week, marking a key construction milestone for the project.
The project will become Iberdrola Australia’s largest operational solar facility in the country once complete.
According to a LinkedIn post, Iberdrola Australia said the milestone was “a proud moment for the team”.
The company said it also reflected the scale of work delivered in Central Queensland.
Why It Matters
The Broadsound project brings large-scale solar generation together with battery storage.
That matters because the battery will allow power to be dispatched during evening peak demand.
This is the time when solar generation usually falls as daylight fades.
The project also shows the size of renewable energy construction now underway in regional Queensland.
It links energy infrastructure, local jobs, and long-term power supply needs.
By The Numbers
- The Broadsound site will combine 377MW of solar generation with a 150MW/300MWh battery energy storage system.
- Crews have installed 609,522 solar panels, after driving more than 91,000 piles across the site.
- The build also involved 7,006 solar trackers and a mechanical installation team of 110 people.
Local Impact
The project is a significant construction site for the Mackay and Central Queensland region.
A workforce of several hundred people is now working to finalise the project.
The mechanical installation team included 110 workers.
Close to half of that team identified as First Nations workers.
This gives the project a wider regional employment story beyond energy generation.
It also places Central Queensland at the centre of another large renewable energy build.
Zoom In
Iberdrola Australia broke ground on the Broadsound project in September 2024.
Construction began after the company secured the approvals needed for the project.
In May 2025, the project reached its “golden row” milestone.
The latest panel installation milestone shows the project has moved from early construction into final delivery work.
The site team is now focused on completing the remaining stages before operations begin.
Zoom Out
Broadsound is part of a broader shift in Queensland’s energy mix.
The project combines generation and storage, which is becoming more important for grid reliability.
Solar can generate power during the day.
Battery storage can then help supply power when demand rises later.
For Central Queensland, the project adds another large energy asset to a region already linked to industry and power supply.
What To Look For Next?
The project is expected to commence operations later this year.
Once operating, Broadsound will be able to generate solar power and dispatch stored energy during evening peak periods.
