AGL and First Solar to Deliver 159 MW in NSW Solar Projects

June 29th, 2012 by Joshua S Hill

The Australian Government has awarded energy provider AGL Energy and PV manufacturer First Solar a $130 million grant to help in a $450 million project to build one of the country’s largest solar installations, which will end up providing 159 megawatts at two locations in New South Wales.

AGL will develop a 106 MW project at Nyngan and a 53 MW project at Broken Hill, and together the two projects will end up generating enough electricity to power 30,000 homes (when it is expected to be completed in 2015).

First Solar will be providing engineering, procurement, and construction services for both projects.

Construction of a solar farm at Long Island

“AGL is delighted to be working with the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, our project partner First Solar, and the people of Broken Hill and Nyngan to deliver these significant renewable energy projects,” AGL’s Managing Director, Michael Fraser, said. “They represent a tremendous opportunity for AGL and the broader solar industry to begin the roll-out of solar power as a meaningful source of generation supply in Australia.

“This investment is also a clear demonstration of AGL’s commitment to renewable energy and is a natural next step for us to build on our strong track record of wind, hydro and biomass renewable generation assets.”

“As an extra boost to the regional economies of both locations, we expect the projects to create significant new direct and flow-on employment during construction. Ongoing employment will also be generated to support project operations,” Mr Fraser added, referring to approximately 150 construction jobs likely to be created in Broken Hill as a result of the project, and 300 in Nyngan.

Source: AGL
Image Source: Brookhaven National Laboratory

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Tags: AGL, Australia, australia clean energy, australia solar energy, First Solar, New South Wales, New South Wales clean energy, New South Wales solar, NSW

About the Author

Joshua S Hill I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

Ronald Brak

So they are building grid only solar which gives about a third of the return of point of use solar at only about 10% less than the cost of point of use solar? I’d call that an epic fail, except that it will reduce coal use which is currently killing people and so is an even greater fail. But it is a huge missed opportunity. Why not use the money to install point of use solar in locations where it is needed to prevent expensive upgrades in transmission infrastructure? I’m afraid some people are not really thinking things through here in Australia.
- Ross
  
  Who is to blame? Looking at Grid Australia and the Australian Energy Regulator they both look like they’ve got a legacy view of the world.