- Greenough River Solar Farm open for business
- State Government provides $20m towards renewable energy joint venture
- Includes $10m from Royalties for Regions fund
Energy Minister Peter Collier today officially opened Australia's first utility-scale solar farm and biggest solar photovoltaic power project near Geraldton in the State's Mid-West.
The opening of the 10-megawatt capacity Greenough River Solar Farm signifies the realisation of a landmark renewable energy project in Australia following the installation of 150,000 solar photovoltaic panels covering 50 hectares of farmland about 50km south-east of Geraldton.
"The Liberal-National Government has done what no other jurisdiction in Australia has and, in the process, designed the new blueprint for how a major source of renewable solar energy can be farmed and distributed to the wider community and industry," Mr Collier said.
"The Government identified that the region has a significant solar resource that could be harnessed; there was future potential for expansion of the site; the local community would benefit significantly from the construction of the project, and that we could deliver a customer that would provide the demand for the capacity output to underwrite the project.
"About 25 local suppliers participated in the building of the Greenough River Solar Farm, including required security, catering and earthworks services. What is very satisfying is that this project was completed in about 12 months, on time and on budget.
Energy produced by the farm is being purchased by the Water Corporation to help offset the energy requirement of its Southern Seawater Desalination Plant, near Binningup.
Water Minister Bill Marmion said it was encouraging to see projects like this come together and provide benefit to industry and the environment.
"As well as assisting the Water Corporation to achieve its environmental objectives associated with the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant, the solar farm is a major boost for WA's renewable energy sector," Mr Marmion said.
"The Greenough River Solar Farm is confirmation that solar energy has an important role in the future of renewable energy in WA."
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the State Government's investment in the Greenough River Solar Farm underlined the importance of the Royalties for Regions program which was committed to delivering a brighter future for regional WA for the broader benefit of the State.
"The State Government has provided $20million towards the $50million project, including a $10million investment from the Royalties for Regions program, with the remainder being contributed by joint venture partners Verve Energy and GE Energy Financial Services," Mr Grylls said.
"The initial performance of the Greenough River Solar Farm has exceeded expectations and the potential to expand the project to 40MW of capacity will be evaluated by Verve Energy in the future."
Fact File
- Greenough River Solar Farm is a JV between Verve and GE Energy Financial Services
- It is located about 50km south-east of Geraldton, near the small community of Walkaway
- 150,000 PV panels will be installed on tables fitted to 15,000 steel posts across an area of 80 hectares and produce about 10 megawatts of electricity
Energy Minister's office - 6552 5300
