The share of the Australian electricity generation market contributed by renewable energy sources is continuing to increase, with numerous large-scale PV projects for a sustainable and secure energy supply. In 2020, SMA signed a series of contracts for the delivery of system solutions for PV power plants with a total power about 1.6 gigawatts.
A highly successful year for SMA Australia despite COVID-19
Destinations include 15 large-scale projects in Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. To date, SMA has a share of approximately 65 percent of the total 6.5 gigawatts of central inverter capacity committed or already commissioned in Australia by the end of 2020. “The trend toward an ever-greater percentage of renewables on the Australian market is progressing.
Despite all the challenges we faced this year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has been a highly successful year for SMA Australia,” said Michael Rutt, Managing Director of SMA Australia. “We are delighted to have signed a series of contracts this year for the delivery of 1.6 gigawatts of inverter power, which corresponds to an average output of two coal-fired power plants. We are proud to make such a crucial contribution to Australia’s energy transition with the comprehensive solutions provided by SMA Energy Systems.
Central inverters for a 460 MW solar farm
Alongside the supply business, engineering services are increasingly playing a role. As early as in the planning stage, these services ensure that risks later in the project can be identified early and thus significantly reduced; for example, through grid studies.” Among this year’s highlights was the successful agreement of a contract for the delivery of Sunny Central inverters to the Western Downs Green Power Hub project, which is financed by NEOEN, Australia’s leading developer for renewable energies. With an installed power of 460 MW, the PV farm will be the country’s largest once complete.
Esperance Power solar and wind hybrid project
In addition, SMA will deliver inverter solutions to the EPC company Sterling and Wilson for the 162-megawatt Columboola PV farm, the second largest in Australia. In 2021, SMA Australia will deliver the new Sunny Central UP inverters for the Esperance Power solar and wind hybrid project to be constructed by Juwi in Western Australia. The Service Sales and Repowering team also successfully signed numerous contracts this year.
Did you miss that? Australia’s largest commercial microgrid is about to be built
SMA has been active on the Australian market for around 20 years and offers a range of solutions for centralized and decentralized PV power plants as well as for solar solutions designed for PV rooftop systems, commercial solar projects and PV hybrid projects. The local team comprises 60 highly skilled specialists in the fields of engineering, sales, marketing and service. In addition, SMA experts provide support for planning, design, engineering and project management as well as for the installation and commissioning of PV projects. (hcn)
