Utility Scale PV

The former APAC head of DNV GL’s solar consultancy has fired a departing shot before leaving to take on a new posting – continued investment will likely remain dependent on clear and stable public policy settings.

A unit of Indian conglomerate Adani will start building the first 65 MW phase of a planned 170 MW solar installation in the Australian state of Queensland by the end of this year.

Multinational oil company Shell is reportedly assessing the viability of a planned 250 MW solar power plant in the Western Downs region of Queensland, Australia, having received approval for the project from the local council.

Only a month after signing a deal with Tesla for the world’s largest lithium-ion storage project, the South Australian government has inked a generation project agreement with U.S. firm Solar Reserve for a massive solar thermal plant project, touted as the world’s biggest.

First Solar has agreed to supply 241 MW (DC) of its thin-film PV modules to Sydney-based EPC contractor RCR Tomlinson for Edify Energy’s 180.7 MW Daydream and 60.2 MW Hayman solar projects in the Australian state of Queensland.

Undergoing a complete transformation, the site of the hotly contested Collinsville coal-fired power station and mine is set to become Queensland’s solar hotspot. The state-owned green lender secures financial backing for two more solar farms, bringing some important new investors.

Seeking to hedge against instability in electricity supply and utility price hikes, South Australia is relentlessly increasing its renewable electricity generation capacity, tapping into its abundant sustainable energy potential. This time, the state is set to host a combined solar and methane power plant, believed to be an Australian first.

As competition increases, some players are likely to exit Australia’s EPC market despite a surge in projects entering the pipeline, finds SERA.

The massive utility-scale PV plant will be built by the Singapore-based developer in Queensland Western Downs, near Wandoan, for an estimated investment of up to AU$2bn. Storage component likely to be added at later date.

Enel Green Power and the Dutch Infrastructure Fund (DIF) have selected Spain’s Elecnor to provide EPC services for the 137 MW second phase of the Bungala solar project near Port Augusta, South Australia. The turnkey contract is valued at A$173 million ($137.7 million).