ZAPD Energy is collaborating with the Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation to build a 5MW solar farm in Gippsland, with expressions of interest (EOI) for engineering, procurement or construction (EPC) partners now released.
The project would not be driven by profit, with the income generated intended to fund social needs (health services and employment) for the local aboriginal community.
ZAPD Energy is a consultancy firm specialising in providing advice for sustainable energy and solar power projects and the Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation is a community controlled, member-based health and wellbeing organisation, committed to delivering quality services for Aboriginal families living on the lands of the Gunai Kurnai people.
Ramahyuck owns a 16 hectare farm at Longford in Gippsland, Victoria, that, with appropriate permitting and other approvals, would be suitable for a 4.9MW solar farm.
A solar farm of this size would provide a range of valuable outcomes for not only Ramahyuck and the local Aboriginal community, but also other Indigenous communities throughout Australia.
The EOI process was launched on 27 August 2021, to attract EPC partners to the project, with ZAPD Energy seeking responses by 27 September 2021.
Following a number of detailed feasibility assessments being undertaken, which have concluded the project is viable, Ramahyuck continues to progress this exciting Aboriginal community based project with strong support from key stakeholders including AusNet Services, Sustainability Victoria and Community Power Hub.
The project has been advancing rapidly, with funding committed from state and federal bodies.
In addition, the processes of obtaining Development Consent and Grid Connection Approval are well advanced, as are PPA negotiations.
