Works on large-scale Merredin Solar Farm in WA now underway
A ground-breaking ceremony was held earlier this month to signal the beginning of construction of Risen Energy Australia’s 132MWdc Merredin Solar Farm located in Western Australia’s Central Wheatbelt region - approximately 260 kilometres east of Perth.
Source: Risen Energy Australia
This new solar farm is expected to be the largest to be built in the State, and it is anticipated to generate up to 281GWh of renewable energy in a year which is enough to power about 42,000 homes.
Merredin Solar Farm is being built on a 460-hectare site previously used as a farming and grazing land. The solar farm will stand adjacent and be connected to the Western Power Merredin Terminal.
In addition, a diesel power station will also be constructed adjacent the Merredin Terminal.
Initial works on the project will include bulk earthworks to prepare the site for the installation of solar panels and substation components.
Major construction on the solar farm is anticipated to commence soon, with commissioning and beginning of operation set for the fourth quarter of 2019.
Risen Energy is aiming to utilise local resources for the project - including contractors, equipment, labour and accommodation.
Project site (source: Risen Energy Australia)
This renewable energy project is expected to support approximately 200 jobs during its construction and have three to five full-time staff to help operate and maintain the solar farm.
Merredin Solar Farm is projected to have an operational life of up to 30 years. Once the solar farm reaches the end of its operating life, the project site is going to be rehabilitated so it can be used as an agricultural site once again.
The development of the Merredin Solar Farm was given the approval, but it comes with conditions such as securing permits, upgrading the roads impacted by the project as well as compliance to environmental requirements.
“Merredin Solar Farm is our second acquisition of a utility-scale solar farm which we will progress from detailed engineering design, through construction, commissioning and ultimately the operation,” Risen Energy Project Development & Investment Director John Zhong said.
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Source: Renew Economy; PV Magazine Australia; Solar Quotes Blog; Merredin Solar Farm
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