DT Infrastructure Awards Major Package on 720MWp Smoky Creek Solar and 2.4GWh Battery Project

The Smoky Creek solar project near Biloela is moving deeper into delivery, with 720MWp of solar, 2.4GWh of battery storage, around 800 jobs and another major supply package now locked in.

DT Infrastructure has appointed TCL Solar to supply photovoltaic modules for Edify Energy’s Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations near Biloela.

The award adds another confirmed package to an approximately A$1.1 billion dual-site EPC development combining utility-scale solar, battery storage and major high-voltage infrastructure.

The TCL Solar award adds to a broader delivery program in which one of Central Queensland’s largest renewable-energy developments is progressively moving into equipment supply, construction and installation packages.

Smoky Creek solar project moves into major package delivery

TCL Solar formally announced the module-supply award on 29 July 2026 as preparations continued for delivery of the two adjacent power stations.

The module award matters because it provides another visible marker of the project’s transition from development and financing into physical procurement.

The Smoky Creek solar project now has a principal EPC contractor, secured financing, long-term industrial offtake arrangements and major equipment packages progressing toward construction.

Package Significance

One package in a much larger delivery program

A 720MWp module order is substantial by itself, but the commercial opportunity around Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap extends through civil construction, battery infrastructure, electrical works, high-voltage connection, logistics, plant hire and regional workforce support.

Each large equipment award also increases certainty around the overall construction sequence and brings subsequent installation and support activities closer.

A $1.1 billion dual-site construction program near Biloela

The scale of the Smoky Creek solar project goes well beyond the newly awarded module-supply package.

DT Infrastructure is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the two neighbouring power stations being developed by Edify Energy in Central Queensland.

Edify places the development approximately 40 kilometres north of Biloela and 75 kilometres south of Rockhampton, across approximately 1,800 hectares of cleared land.

DT Infrastructure’s parent company, Gamuda , lists a combined contract sum of approximately A$1.1 billion and a current completion target of the end of 2028.

Edify Energy reached financial close on the developments in May 2026, establishing the funding position for the current delivery program.

DT Infrastructure’s EPC scope extends across civil, solar, battery and HV works

Delivery of the Smoky Creek solar project requires a broad combination of civil, renewable-energy, battery and high-voltage infrastructure capability.

This places the project firmly in major-project territory for Queensland contractors operating across construction, energy, logistics and industrial supply-chain services.

The package sequence is becoming clearer

• March 2025 — long-term industrial offtake secured Rio Tinto entered 20-year solar and battery hybrid services agreements with Edify Energy.
• March 2026 — DT Infrastructure selected DT Infrastructure was selected as preferred EPC contractor.
• May 2026 — financial close and EPC delivery confirmed Edify Energy reached financial close and DT Infrastructure confirmed its delivery role.
• Mid-2026 — battery supply progresses Major battery equipment arrangements progressed for the project’s 2,400MWh BESS.
• 29 July 2026 — TCL Solar module package announced TCL Solar confirmed the 720MWp photovoltaic module supply award.
• Early Q2 2027 — module installation expected TCL Solar says module installation is expected to begin in early Q2 2027.
• End of 2028 — current completion target The dual-site development is currently targeting completion by the end of 2028.

Energy Storage

2.4GWh makes storage a major part of the build

The development includes a 600MW / 2,400MWh battery energy storage system, making the battery component a major construction and electrical workstream rather than a secondary addition to the solar farm.

Battery delivery creates interfaces across civil foundations, electrical balance-of-plant, cabling, controls, communications, commissioning, fire systems and high-voltage infrastructure.

Contractor opportunity extends far beyond the solar modules

The TCL award removes one significant equipment package from the Smoky Creek solar project pipeline, but the scale and duration of DT Infrastructure’s overall EPC scope means the supply-chain opportunity is substantially broader.

DT Infrastructure has indicated that around 800 jobs are associated with the project and that local contractor participation will support delivery and the regional economy.

For Biloela, Rockhampton, Gladstone and the broader Central Queensland industrial supply chain, the project potentially touches a wide range of capabilities.

The 275kV connection adds another layer of project complexity

The Smoky Creek solar project and neighbouring Guthrie’s Gap development are designed as an integrated solar-and-storage system connected to Powerlink’s 275kV transmission network.

The first stage includes a 600MW AC connection while the solar array itself provides 720MWp of installed photovoltaic capacity.

The development incorporates utility-scale battery infrastructure, a new substation, large step-up transformers, electrical reticulation, controls and transmission interfaces.

This is therefore materially more complex than simply constructing a large field of photovoltaic modules.

Construction Outlook

Module installation creates the next visible construction milestone

TCL Solar says installation of its photovoltaic modules is expected to commence in early Q2 2027.

Before and around that milestone, key delivery activities include site preparation, piling, trackers, electrical works, logistics, lifting and supporting construction services.

Rio Tinto connects the project directly with Gladstone heavy industry

The commercial foundation behind the development also has major relevance to Central Queensland industry.

Rio Tinto has entered long-term agreements covering 90% of the solar power and battery-storage capacity generated by Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap.

The arrangements form part of Rio Tinto’s strategy to repower its Gladstone industrial operations, including the Boyne aluminium smelter.

The commercial importance of the Smoky Creek solar project therefore extends beyond renewable generation, linking new Central Queensland energy infrastructure directly with major industrial demand in Gladstone.

Regional delivery opportunity across Central Queensland

The Smoky Creek solar project is moving from planning into procurement and construction, increasing its relevance to the Central Queensland supply chain.

Large projects of this scale rarely reach completion through a principal contractor and a small number of major equipment vendors alone.

Delivery typically depends on layers of civil construction, electrical installation, logistics, temporary works, equipment hire, technical services, workforce support and commissioning.

The commercial significance extends beyond the TCL Solar award.

The approximately $1.1 billion Central Queensland development now has a named EPC contractor, financial close, major equipment supply progressing, a long-term industrial customer and a defined construction horizon.