Installations

The push by the New South Wales Government towards renewable energy continues to gather momentum with the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) approving a multimillion-dollar solar farm with a capacity of up to 500 MW in the state’s far north.

Spanish solar companies are passing business to each other in Australia like a football between Xavi and Iniesta. X-Elio has announced fellow Spanish company GRS as the EPC for its big entry into the Australian market, the 200 MW Blue Grass Solar Farm in Queensland’s Western Downs.

The proposed 65 MW Tamworth Solar Farm and integrated battery storage system is a step closer to fruition after the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment gave the project its tick of approval.

When Komo Energy founders Gerald Arends and Jonathan Prendergast spoke to pv magazine Australia almost six weeks ago, Australia’s knowledge gap about the mid-scale segment lay between them and their vision of a flowing pipeline of projects.

Engie and ammonia producer Yara have published findings from their long-awaited feasibility study into the development of renewable hydrogen and ammonia at Yara’s Pilbara Fertilisers plant. The study has led to development plans for large-scale renewable hydrogen and ammonia development with the first phase, a 10 MW solar farm and electrolyser, already instigated.

A Hybrid Systems Australia solar and battery energy storage microgrid at Tellus’s remote Sandy Ridge hazardous waste clean up facility means that the project runs off 100% renewable power in daylight hours.

GRS has passed the 550 MW mark in its Australian portfolio with the energisation of its 39 MW Molong Solar Farm in Central West New South Wales. The project is now on the verge of grid connection tests and thereby closing in on full-fledged generation.

At nine solar farms and counting, FRV Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi and UAE-based Abdul Latif Jameel, has the experience and commitment to local development to bring difficult projects to fruition. Walla Walla Solar farm adds a whopping 300 MW to the renewable capacity of NSW, and its size and siting have required particular attention to concerns raised in the agricultural Riverina district.

Allume Energy’s SolShare technology equitably spreads the solar love among residents of community housing and apartment buildings that can install PV on top. It has just achieved the certification that will let residents of “multi family units” across America enjoy the benefits of renewable energy.

It makes sense that the Hunter-Central Coast, with its energy infrastructure, heavy industries and transitioning workforces should turn its resources and assets toward renewable generation. As NSW celebrates the passing of the NSW Liberal Coalition’s foresightful bill, the Hunter region is settling into its new place on the REZ map.