Emu Downs Solar Farm to power WA households

• Minister formally opens Emu Downs Solar Farm
• The solar farm will produce enough energy to power 6,700 homes within the South West Interconnected System network
• Project has created over 100 jobs through the construction and maintenance phase 

Energy Minister Ben Wyatt has formally opened the Emu Downs Solar Farm, 200 kilometres north of Perth.

Synergy has entered into a power purchase agreement with the operator, APA, to buy electricity generated by the solar farm until 2030.

The $50 million project consists of 75,168 solar panels on about 70 hectares, and has the capacity to produce enough energy to power 6,700 homes.

The solar farm will be co-located with the 80-megawatt Emu Downs Wind Farm, and will provide a significant increase to Western Australia's renewable energy capacity. 

Comments attributed to Energy Minister Ben Wyatt:

"We are delighted to work with APA to deliver a project which will be seen as an exciting example of what the future holds.

"The Mid-West is fast emerging as the epicentre for renewable energy projects in Western Australia, and is providing employment opportunities for people in regional WA. 

"The Emu Downs Solar Farm and its adjacent wind farm, as well as the Badgingarra Wind Farm currently under construction shows the enormous potential for this region to be a national leader in renewable energy.

"The McGowan Labor Government is committed to ensuring that Synergy meets its 2020 renewable energy commitments, and we will do so in such a way that contributes to repairing the state of the Budget."

Minister's office - 6552 5900