Sydney, Australia – 20 May 2026 – Edify Energy has reached Financial Close on the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations, the largest solar and battery hybrid projects in construction in Australia.
The milestone brings together a landmark customer offtake agreement, strong government, landholder and community backing and La Caisse’s long-term support and conviction in the energy transition in Australia, unlocking long‑term benefits for regional communities.
Located in Central Queensland on the traditional lands of the Gaangalu Nation People, the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations will together feature 720MWp of solar and 600MW / 2,400MWh of battery storage. The financing deal:
- Brings together a strong syndicate of 14 domestic and international lenders on a market first greenfield renewable energy portfolio financing package;
- Is supported by solar and battery hybrid services agreements with Rio Tinto;
- Is backed by the Australian Government Capacity Investment Scheme;
- Supports the development of regional Queensland through the creation of jobs, economic injection in the community, and upskilling in the local area; and
- Helps secure the future stability of renewable energy in central Queensland and hard to abate industry.
The Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations will deliver utility‑scale solar generation integrated with battery energy storage and advanced grid-forming inverters, purpose‑designed to provide low cost, reliable dispatchable renewable power. Together, the projects will strengthen Queensland’s energy system, support industrial demand and contribute to improved reliability as aging thermal generation retires.
Financial Close was achieved with the support of Edify’s shareholder, La Caisse and a syndicate of domestic and international lenders unlocking private capital at scale. The financing package reflects strong market confidence in the quality of the projects, La Caisse’s long-term investment thesis in Australia’s clean energy future and Edify’s market-leading track record in development and delivery capability.
The debt financing is being delivered under a greenfield renewable energy debt financing platform, with the Smoky and Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations being the first projects to be financed under the platform. The establishment of a greenfield portfolio financing is a first in the Australian market, providing a scalable foundation for future greenfield project delivery.
The projects were successfully awarded long-term support under the Australian Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), reflecting their strategic importance to Australia’s energy transition. Under the CIS Agreements, Edify has committed to providing significant local community and First Nations support, together with substantial local content requirements, supporting regional industry.
Supporting the projects are two long-term solar and battery hybrid services agreements with Rio Tinto. Under these agreements, Rio Tinto will purchase 90% of the power and battery storage capacity generated by the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations for 20 years, supporting Rio Tinto’s Gladstone aluminium operations with affordable, reliable and lower-carbon energy.
One of Australia’s most advanced examples of firmed solar powering heavy industry, the projects also represent one of the nation’s largest renewable energy offtake arrangements for the industrial sector, underscoring the critical role of firmed renewables in decarbonising energy‑intensive industries.
In addition to delivering clean power for industry and households, the projects will create up to 800 jobs at peak construction, support local apprenticeships and skills training, and generate long‑term economic benefits for communities across the Banana Shire. The projects will maximise local procurement, supporting local suppliers and the Australian domestic steel industry. Supported by a community benefits program spanning more than 35 years, the projects are designed to leave a lasting, positive legacy for the region.
Ben Warne, Chief Executive Officer, Edify Energy, said:
“Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap are critical projects in the energy transition, generating cost-effective, reliable and dispatchable renewable energy. These are the first projects to reach financial close under La Caisse ownership and reflect the scale of Edify’s and La Caisse’s ambition in making a meaningful contribution to the energy transition.
With our customer partner Rio Tinto, enhanced local community and local content benefits being available under the Capacity Investment Scheme and strong support from our financing partners, these projects will strengthen Queensland’s and Australia’s energy system while delivering lasting benefits for the communities of the Banana Shire and the Gaangalu Nation People.”
