The Northam Solar Farm is a significant development for Carnegie: it is the largest solar project the company has developed and the first utility renewable energy project to be developed on a “merchant” basis in Western Australia where the power is not contracted under a long term offtake agreement.
It is the also the first renewable investment by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) and Bookitja.
Carnegie’s Managing Director, Dr Michael Ottaviano, commented: “We are delighted to have Western Australian Treasurer and Minister for Energy Ben Wyatt officially break ground on the Northam Solar Farm today, and celebrate the renewable investment partnership we have with Indigenous Business Australia.
“The Northam Solar Farm has been developed as a template for future projects where Carnegie receives value from multiple revenue streams including electricity sales and project construction, operating and maintenance.”
Carnegie retains a 50% interest in the solar farm and is the asset manager. The project is being delivered by the EMC/Lendlease Services joint venture, with engineering, construction and procurement underway, and will complete in the second half of 2018, when it will also begin selling power into the Western Australian grid.
The Hon. Ben Wyatt, West Australian Treasurer; Minister for Finance; Energy and Aboriginal Affairs said:
“Projects such as the Northam Solar Farm illustrate the great potential we have in Western Australia to take advantage of the technological advances in the energy sector. We can create regional opportunities built around cleaner, cheaper renewable power.
“This project is particularly exciting because of the opportunities it will provide to local aboriginal people and businesses as a result of the joint venture.”
Eddie Fry, Chair of IBA said:
“IBA is very excited to be getting behind this project and helping to bring it to life as it is one of the first large scale solar projects in the country with Indigenous ownership.”
Karen Jacobs, Director of Bookitja said:
“Bookitja is excited to be an active party to the Northam Solar Farm. As an Aboriginal entity our invested interest in this ground breaking project will continue our focus on building economic growth for our community”.
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