What’s happening?
Two projects in Townsville and North Queensland have been granted major project status by the Australian Government.
The developments are part of four nationally significant projects across Australia focused on renewable energy, green metals and rare earth elements.
Projects awarded major project status contribute to economic growth, regional development and employment across Australia.
The North Queensland projects aim to strengthen clean energy supply chains while supporting industries linked to decarbonisation.
Why it matters
The projects will help expand Australia’s manufacturing capability for solar technologies and silicon production.
They also support the development of industries connected to renewable energy and low-carbon materials.
Significant investment and new employment opportunities are expected in regional Queensland.
Local Impact
Townsville and North Queensland are set to play a larger role in Australia’s renewable energy manufacturing sector.
The projects will introduce large-scale solar manufacturing capability and integrated silicon production in the region.
Thousands of jobs are expected during construction and ongoing operations.
By the numbers
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$500 million investment will fund Project Clean Wafers in North Queensland, creating more than 300 full-time jobs.
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$4.5 billion capital investment is planned for the Northern Quartz Campus near Townsville, supporting up to 1,200 construction jobs and 2,000 ongoing roles.
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2 gigawatt capacity will be produced by Australia’s first commercial-scale silicon ingot and photovoltaic wafer manufacturing facility.
Zoom In
Stellar PV Pty Ltd’s Project Clean Wafers will establish Australia’s first commercial-scale silicon ingot and photovoltaic wafer manufacturing facility in North Queensland.
The facility will have a production capacity of two gigawatts.
Supported through ARENA’s Solar SunShot program, the project will accelerate local photovoltaic manufacturing and clean energy industrial growth in regional Australia.
With a capital investment of more than $500 million, the project will create over 300 full-time jobs.
Construction is expected to take around 12 months, with an operational life of 20 to 30 years.
Solquartz Pty Ltd’s Northern Quartz Campus will be developed north of Manton Quarry Road near Townsville.
The campus will create Australia’s first fully integrated solar and electronic-grade silicon supply chain.
It will combine renewable generation, battery storage and silicon production in one location.
With a capital investment of $4.5 billion, the project expects to support up to 1,200 construction jobs and 2,000 ongoing jobs.
The development will boost renewable energy, low-carbon metals and solar manufacturing while building sovereign capability in a critical mineral.
Zoom Out
Two additional projects have also received major project status in other parts of Australia.
Magnetite Mines’ Razorback Iron Ore Project in South Australia will produce premium magnetite concentrate used in green steel production.
The project includes capital investment close to $2 billion. It is expected to create around 1,474 construction jobs and 450 ongoing roles during its 38 year operation.
The Fingerboards Project by Gippsland Critical Minerals Ltd in East Gippsland will focus on rare earth elements and zircon production.
The project expects annual output of 200 tonnes of heavy rare earth oxides, 1,800 tonnes of light rare earth oxides and 75,000 tonnes of zircon.
It involves a $295 million capital investment, with 400 construction jobs and 262 direct ongoing jobs.
What to look for next
Planning approvals, construction timelines and investment progress will shape how quickly these projects move toward development across North Queensland and other regions.
