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Global power company Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV, Madrid, Spain) on June 18th, 2011 announced with its consortium partners BP Solar and Pacific Hydro that it has won an Australian Government tender to build and operate Australia’s first large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power station.
The 150 megawatt (MW) PV facility will be located in the New South Wales Tablelands near the regional town of Moree and will be known as the Moree Solar Farm.
FRV reference PV plant in Magasquilla, Spain
650,000 PV panels to generate enough electricity to fully power approximately 45,000 homes
The Moree Solar Farm is part of the Federal Government’s Solar Flagships Program which has committed USD 1.5 billion to support the construction and operation of solar power stations around Australia. The project, the first solar large scale power station to be built in Australia, will also be one of the largest solar facilities in the World.
FRV has been awarded the contract against stiff international competition of more than 50 consortiums worldwide. Construction of the plant is due to begin in 2012 with electricity produced to be sold into Australia’s National Electricity Market.
Once completed, the Moree Solar farm will comprise around 650,000 PV panels and generate enough electricity to fully power approximately 45,000 homes (roughly the size of Darwin).
The farm will also deliver significant benefits to the local economy including job creation during the four-year construction phase.
Consortium comprises FRV, BP Solar and Pacific Hydro
FRV CEO Rafael Benjumea said FRV – the consortium’s majority equity stakeholder – is delighted to be a part of this landmark solar project. “The Moree Solar Farm is a very exciting project for FRV and provides a platform for FRV to expand in Australia,” Mr. Benjumea said. “Australia has enormous and largely untapped potential as a major solar power producer so we see our investment in Australia as a long-term commitment.
The Moree Solar Farm will be built, owned and operated by a consortium comprising three partners with complementary skills: FRV, BP Solar and Pacific Hydro.
