UPC/AC turns sod on 720-MW solar project in Australia
UPC\AC Renewables Australia has launched construction on the first 400-MW batch of capacity that is set to create a 720-MW solar complex in the Aussie state of New South Wales.
The start of building activities was marked by an official groundbreaking ceremony attended by state officials, the developer said on Monday. The company expects to create up to 700 jobs during the peak construction phase.
The New England Solar Farm will be installed in two phases near Uralla in the New England region of New South Wales. The complex will be coupled with an up to 400-MWh battery storage system and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2023.
The first 400-MW stage will have 50 MWh of integrated battery storage capacity. It will be connected to an existing 330-kV line owned by grid operator Transgrid.
Once fully operational, the New England Solar Farm hybrid complex will be capable of generating around 1,800 GWh of electricity per year, or enough to supply over 250,000 local homes.
It is set to become the largest solar-battery site in Australia when completed, said UPC\AC Renewables Australia’s CEO Anton Rohner said.
Elecnor SA is acting as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the first phase of the project. The Spanish firm will perform the job through its Green Light Contractors subsidiary.
UPC/AC Australia is a joint venture (JV) between Hong Kong-based UPC Renewables and AC Energy, a subsidiary of Philippine conglomerate Ayala Corporation.
Source: renewablesnow
