EnergyAustralia confirmed they will sign power purchase agreements for 500MW of wind and solar projects across eastern Australia. The contracts are worth $1.5 billion according to pv-tech.org
EnergyAustralia operates and owns a multi-billion dollar portfolio of energy generation and storage facilities covering coal, gas and wind assets, and servicing 1.7 million homes across the nation. The firm are looking to move into clean energy.
The first phase expected by the end of this year will be a 13-year PPA signing of the 42.6 MW solar farm in regional Manildra, NSW. Supported by grants from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the project is under its large-scale solar funding round and is being developed by First Solar. Start of construction is scheduled to start in early 2017 and expected to be completed in 2018.
Catherine Tanna, EnergyAustralia managing director, said negotiations between EnergyAustralia and other developers of the solar and wind projects across eastern Australian were at an advanced stage.
The company stated that owning big power plants in the country means they have a responsibility of leading and promoting cleaner forms of energy. The company seems to be committed to the renewable transition after buying 500MW of power from new solar and wind projects across the country and providing the support they need to get built.
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Featured Image Credit: Kate Ausburn