Photon Energy N.V., an Amsterdam-based renewable energy company delivering clean energy and water solutions around the world, recently announced that it has commissioned its first utility-scale photovoltaic power plants in Australia, with a combined capacity of 14.6 MW. Located in Leeton, New South Wales, the two facilities expand the Group’s installed base in Australia to 14.7 MW, and its total proprietary portfolio of PV power plants to 89.3 MW.
The municipality of Leeton is located in the heart of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, famous for the production of wine and citrus fruits. It is also an area of significant energy use; energy which has traditionally been generated by large coal power plants located hundreds of kilometres away.
The Group’s first utility-scale PV power plants in Australia
Representing the first Australian utility-scale PV power plants in the Group’s IPP portfolio, both solar farms use bi-facial PV modules mounted on single-axis trackers, and are connected to the grid owned and operated by Essential Energy as a non-scheduled generator. The plants are expected to produce approximately 27.8 GWh of clean electricity per year.
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The electricity will be sold on the National Electricity Market on a merchant basis, as will the Large Generation Certificates (LGCs) generated by the plant. This means no power purchase agreements (PPAs) have been entered into by the Company. However, they may play a role in the plants’ future revenue management strategy, alongside other hedging options.
Developed in-house
Photon Energy developed the projects in-house and delivered engineering, procurement and construction services through its subsidiary Photon Energy Engineering Australia Pty Ltd. The Group’s subsidiary Photon Energy Operations Australia Pty Ltd will provide long-term monitoring and operations and maintenance services to both power plants. (mfo)
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