Global tech giant Apple has signed a deal to take most of the output of the new Lancaster solar project in Victoria, continuing a spate of such contracts from big international companies in Australia.
The deal for the 80 megawatt (ac) Lancaster solar farm will come into effect once the partially constructed project swings into full production in 2026. There were no details about the exact size or duration of the off-take deal.
Lancaster is owned by the Danish-based European Energy and the deal with Apple is one of a number struck with global tech giants for its solar projects in Australia.
Amazon, for instance, has off-take deals for its Mokoan, Winton North and Bullyard solar projects in Victoria and Queensland, while Google and Air Trunk have signed up for its Mulwala solar project in NSW.
The 46 MW Mokoan solar farm is already operating, and is the first project that won an underwriting agreement under the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme to reach full production.
European Energy is also developing the massive e 1.3 GW Upper Calliope solar project in Queensland, which is underpinned by a contract with Rio Tinto to help power its smelters and refineries in Gladstone, where the mining company plans to close down the coal generator in 2029.
Catriona McLeod, the country manager for Australia, says the Apple deal for Lancaster will underpin the project and reflects the pace of renewable energy developments across the country.
“There is strong demand for clean energy, and partnerships like this help bring new capacity online,” she said in a statement.
“The focus is on projects that integrate effectively with the Australian energy system and provide long-term value for the regions where they are located.”
European Energy has development approval for a big battery to be built at Lancaster.
European Energy says Australia remains a priority market for European Energy, and it has a strong pipeline of solar, wind and battery storage projects.
Apple plans to bring more than one million megawatt-hours of new renewable electricity online each year in Australia before 2030. The Lancaster project forms part of this effort and will contribute new capacity to the National Electricity Market.
“Long-term agreements with major energy consumers play a constructive role in enabling renewable energy projects,” said Jens Peter Zink, Executive Vice President.
“When companies make commitments of this nature, it supports investment decisions and brings new generation capacity forward. These partnerships connect demand with new clean supply and help advance the wider energy transition.”
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Giles Parkinson
Giles Parkinson is founder and editor-in-chief of Renew Economy, and founder and editor of its EV-focused sister site The Driven. He is the co-host of the weekly Energy Insiders Podcast. Giles has been a journalist for more than 40 years and is a former deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review. You can find him on LinkedIn and on Twitter.
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