CIMIC Group company UGL has been awarded a contract by APA Group to deliver the Sybella Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project near Mount Isa, Queensland, marking another step forward in the company’s growing renewable energy portfolio.
Under the agreement, UGL will handle the engineering design, procurement, construction and commissioning of a 72MW solar farm alongside a 52MW / 104MWh battery energy storage system.
The project forms part of APA Group’s broader investment strategy to expand renewable energy infrastructure in Queensland’s North West Minerals Province, an area that has traditionally relied on more carbon-intensive power sources to support its mining and industrial operations.
Once operational, the Sybella project is expected to provide a lower-emissions and more reliable energy solution for the region, helping to underpin future economic activity while reducing the area’s overall carbon footprint.
The initiative reflects a wider trend across Australia’s resources sector, where energy security and sustainability goals are increasingly being pursued in tandem.
CIMIC Group Chief Executive Officer Jason Spears welcomed the announcement, noting the significance of the project for both the company and the broader region.
“This project will support energy security and economic growth in North Queensland while contributing to Australia’s energy transition,” he said.
The Sybella project builds on an established working relationship between UGL and APA Group, which has previously included the successful delivery of the Dugald River Solar Farm and the Port Hedland Battery Energy Storage System.
UGL Managing Director Sam Goldsmith pointed to that track record as a key factor behind the latest contract award, highlighting the trust that has developed between the two organisations over a series of complex infrastructure projects.
According to UGL, the Sybella Solar Farm and BESS will become the company’s 16th solar farm and 12th battery energy storage system project, further cementing its position as one of the leading providers of renewable energy generation and storage solutions in the Australian market.
The North West Minerals Province, home to a significant concentration of mining and resource operations, stands to benefit from more resilient and sustainable power infrastructure as demand for reliable, lower-emissions energy grows across the region.
Construction on the Sybella Solar Farm and BESS is anticipated to begin in late 2026, with completion targeted for mid-2028.
Once complete, the project is expected to contribute meaningfully to the region’s energy mix, supporting both existing operations and future growth across Queensland’s resources sector.
As Australia continues to accelerate its transition toward renewable energy sources, contracts such as this highlight the ongoing role that established infrastructure and engineering firms are playing in delivering large-scale solar and battery projects nationwide, particularly in regional and remote areas where energy reliability remains a pressing concern for industry and communities alike.
