Australia’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) plant has ramped up to full generation for the first time and is now feeding 102 MW of renewable energy into the National Electricity Market, enough to power 33,000 homes annually.
The plant in Nyngan, New South Wales is part of the $440 million AGL solar project, which is supported by $166.7m Arena funding and $64.9m NSW Government funding.
Arena CEO Ivor Frischknecht said the achievement was another critical step forward for large scale solar PV in Australia.
“This new Australian record sends a strong signal to the energy industry that utility-scale solar PV plants can be constructed on time and on budget,” Mr Frischknecht said.
“Arena is pleased to support this landmark project, which will greatly increase market confidence in future solar PV projects, bringing down the cost of planning, construction and finance.”
The Nyngan project has provided economic benefits for the community including employment, which during the peak of construction reached more than 250 people on site. Businesses in Nyngan, and the wider Orana region, have also benefited from local procurement and contracts associated with the project’s construction.
AGL is now conducting final commissioning and testing ahead of the plant being fully operational later this year.
