UPC\AC Australia, a joint venture (JV) between Ayala Corporation’s AC Energy and Australia-based UPC Renewables has tapped a contractor for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the first stage of its 720-megawatt (MW) solar and battery project in the state of New South Wales (NSW).
Elecnor Australia is set to deliver the first 400MW stage of the New England Solar Farm and battery project, including the substation works. The project will be developed across two sections of land in the New England region of the state.
The EPC contractor will be responsible for the detailed design, engineering and procurement of the project, as well as ongoing operation and maintenance services in the first two years of operations.
The New England Solar Farm, Australia’s largest solar and battery project, will be deploying single axis tracking technology, allowing solar panels to follow the sun’s path, while also providing enough space for sheep to graze on the land in between and underneath the panels.
Once fully constructed, the solar farm is expected to produce 1.8 million megawatt hours (MWh) of clean and renewable electricity yearly, enough to power over 250,000 homes.
“Building the New England Solar Farm is a remarkable achievement, one which puts UPC\AC Renewables and Australia at the forefront of renewable energy development in the Asia-Pacific region,” said AC Energy International Chief Operating Officer Patrice Clausse.
“As we adopt new technologies in the construction of Australia’s biggest solar farm, we also aim to play a prominent role in spurring sustainable and inclusive economic growth in NSW,” she added.
“This is a major milestone for the project, the local community, UPC\AC Renewables, and most importantly the transition of [Australia’s] energy system,” UPC\AC Renewables CEO Rohner said.
