The 200 MW Blue Grass Solar Farm in Queensland is X-ELIO’s largest solar farm development in Australia. The project includes more than $200m capital investment in Queensland, where it will power 80,000 homes across the state and create up to 400 new construction jobs.
The 10-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) is estimated to effectively displace 80,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year over the life of the agreement.
This VPPA is Salesforce’s first renewable energy offtake agreement in Australia. It supports Salesforce’s ambitions to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2022.
X-ELIO is a global leader in renewable energy. It has strategic ambitions to expand its footprint in Australia’s renewables market across the East Coast, with 400MW of pipeline currently In Development.
X-ELIO, a leading global renewable energy producer has signed a landmark virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Salesforce, its first renewable energy offtake agreement in Australia.
The VPPA is a key milestone for X-ELIO in Australia and its 200 MW Blue Grass Solar Farm in the Western Downs region of Queensland.
For Salesforce, the VPPA supports its objective to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2022. Under the agreement, the Blue Grass project will supply generation certificates to meet Salesforce’s renewable energy requirements.
The MWs contracted under the VPPA are estimated to effectively displace 80,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year over the life of the agreement.
“We are proud to team up with X-ELIO on the Blue Grass solar farm, a project which will bring jobs to regional Queensland, support the local community and deliver new renewable energy generation. Salesforce is on a path to 100% renewable energy and we have a plan to get there by 2022. This is an important step on this path and one which we hope inspires other leaders. The climate crisis requires bold action, today.”
Pip Marlow, Chief Executive Officer, Salesforce Australia and New Zealand
The Blue Grass Solar Farm is X-ELIO’s first and largest solar farm development in Australia. The 200MW utility scale farm is currently in construction, with full operation expected in late 2021.
The project will deliver 420 GWh of green energy annually, powering 80,000 Queensland homes and offsetting more than 320,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. It will also create up to 400 new construction jobs and deliver more than $200 million capital investment in Queensland.
The Blue Grass Solar Farm project represents X-ELIO’s long-term interests in Australia where it plans to leverage its 15 years experience as a global leader in the development, construction and operation of solar PV projects, having built more than 2 GW solar PV plants and with 25 plants currently in operation across 10 markets globally.
“This partnership with Salesforce is a significant milestone for X-ELIO in Australia, furthering our ambitions in Australia’s renewables market. In Salesforce, we have found a like minded partner who shares our community-focused goals and emissions reduction ambitions. While X-ELIO powers many global businesses across our international portfolio, this VPPA strengthens our position in Australia where we will continue to pursue new growth opportunities to expand our national footprint in the renewables market. This includes 400MW of pipeline currently In Development, which is growing exponentially each year. Solar is going from strength to strength in Australia and we’re thrilled to be a part of the nation’s renewable energy future.”
Belinda Fan, X-ELIO’s Country Manager in Australia
“With Australia being a key future strategic market for X-ELIO, we are extremely excited to announce this landmark agreement with Salesforce. X-ELIO is continuously looking to grow its presence in attractive markets like Australia, where our local team will leverage the significant capital and global industry expertise of X-ELIO to grow our local presence and realise our ambitions in the market.”
Lluis Noguera, CEO of X-ELIO
In addition to the economic and social benefits of the project for the region, X-ELIO will dedicate a percentage of the Blue Grass Solar Farm’s annual gross income to a Community Support and Benefit Sharing Program.
Ms Fan added: “We are tremendously proud to be a part of the community in Queensland’s Western Downs region and contribute to the region’s economic and social development. This Community Support and Benefit Sharing Program will support local community projects in areas such as education and community renewable projects.”
Belinda Fan, X-ELIO’s Country Manager in Australia
About X-ELIO:
X-ELIO is a leading company specialized in the development, construction, financing and operation of photovoltaic plants with global presence in Europe, United States, Latin America, Japan and Australia. The firm counts with 15 years of experience in the industry with more than 2.5 GW built and 25 PV plants in operation and presence in 10 countries. In 2019 it achieved a revenue in excess of €100M. The group is a global leader in renewable and sustainable energy, with a strong commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gases and the fight against climate change.
About Salesforce
Salesforce, the global CRM leader, empowers companies of every size and industry to digitally transform and create a 360° view of their customers. For more information about Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), visit: www.salesforce.com.
