Telstra on track for 2025 renewables target with solar deal

The news: Telstra has signed a power purchase agreement with Global Power Generation for a planned solar farm in Queensland that the telco says will help it achieve a major climate goal. The solar farm near Bundaberg will mean Telstra is contracted to enable renewable energy generation equivalent to 100% of its consumption by 2025.

The numbers: The $130 million project will secure up to 153 gigawatts of renewable energy output to the grid each year, enough to power 30,000 homes. The build is expected to create more than 100 jobs over the 12-18 month construction, and Telstra has already contributed more than $1.2 billion to renewable energy projects in eastern states, the telco said.

The context: The federal government has committed to achieving a 82% national renewable electricity target by 2030. The target is not legislated and there is no expectation it will be, according to the Australian Energy Council.