ACEN Australia’s Stubbo Solar project has officially become the first solar generator supported by a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement (LTESA) to achieve full commercial operation, marking a significant milestone in New South Wales’ clean energy transition.
Developed before the formal establishment of the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), Stubbo Solar bridges two major policy eras and now stands as one of the largest solar projects ever constructed in Australia.
ACEN Australia celebrated the milestone for the AUS $760 million, 520 MWdc (400 MWac) project with an on-site ceremony on Friday, attended by New South Wales Minister for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe. Also present were Ayala Corporation President and CEO and ACEN Chairman Cezar “Bong” Consing, ACEN President and CEO Eric Francia, and ACEN Australia Executive Chairman Jose Maria Zabaleta, alongside the ACEN Australia team.
“Stubbo Solar reinforces ACEN’s long-term commitment to Australia’s clean energy future,” said ACEN Australia Executive Chairman Jose Maria Zabaleta. “This milestone highlights how clear policy and strong partnerships can unlock large-scale renewable investments. It also reflects the dedication of our ACEN Australia team and partners, whose collaboration and hard work turned this project into a powerful example of what’s possible in the energy transition.”
ACEN Australia Managing Director David Pollington noted that Stubbo’s journey began years before the policy frameworks shaping today’s renewable energy sector were introduced. “What started as a single-site concept has become one of the most significant renewable energy investments in regional New South Wales, built through partnership, persistence, and strategic adaptation,” he said.
Pollington added that as the market evolves—with rising costs, shifting delivery conditions, and changing market dynamics—strong collaboration between government and industry remains critical to ensure policies stay effective and investment-ready. He said ACEN Australia is proud to play a role in this transition and looks forward to continued collaboration with the NSW Government, partners, and stakeholders to deliver the next wave of clean, reliable, and affordable energy for the state.
The successful delivery of Stubbo Solar was made possible through extensive partnerships across the project ecosystem. PCL Construction served as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, while Lumea—the commercial arm of Transgrid—partnered with ACEN Australia to provide a safe and efficient connection to the NSW electricity network.
Stubbo Solar has also been designed to accommodate a 200 MW / 800 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), positioning the site to deliver firming capacity and ensure reliable clean energy as the grid continues to decarbonize.
In another industry first, Stubbo Solar became the first large-scale solar project certified for full circularity under the Circular PV Alliance framework, guaranteeing that all 930,000 solar panels will be reused or recycled at the end of their lifespan—setting a new sustainability benchmark.
Driving Regional Growth and Local Partnerships
During construction, ACEN Australia invested nearly AUS $85 million into the NSW economy, including approximately AUS $60 million in contracts, jobs, and procurement for businesses within the Mid-Western Regional Council and surrounding areas.
The project also contributed AUS $3.2 million to First Nations businesses and more than AUS $400,000 to community initiatives through its voluntary Social Investment Program, supporting education, skills training, and local well-being.
Located about 10 km north of Gulgong in central-west NSW, Stubbo Solar can generate enough renewable electricity to power 185,000 Australian homes.
