• About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
Home

Moree Solar Farm’s first generation

by Jessica Dickers
March 9, 2016
in Electricity, News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Solar, Sustainability
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Moree Solar Farm in New South Wales has achieved first generation and is now providing 56MV of renewable energy into the National Electricity Market.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) welcomed the news that the solar farm was producing enough energy to power up to 15,000 homes.

Moree Solar Farm was developed by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) and CEO, Rafael Benjumea, said the company was very proud to have delivered the first utility scale single axis tracking and largest polycrystalline solar farm in Australia.

“First generation at the plant is a great achievement and represents more than six years of continued work from our Australian office through the development, financing and construction activities.

“FRV believes there is strong market support for large-scale solar in Australia and is looking forward to celebrating first generation from some of our other developed sites in the coming years,” Mr Benjumea said.

ARENA CEO, Ivor Frischknecht, said large-scale solar in Australia was making solid headway towards reaching commercial maturity.

“In the last six months we’ve seen more than 210 MW from ARENA-supported solar farms start feeding into the grid and powering Australian homes and businesses with renewable energy,” Mr Frischknecht said.

“The Nyngan, Broken Hill and Moree solar farms, along with approximately 200 MW set to be built through ARENA’s $100million large-scale solar round, will help push costs down by developing local supply chains, increasing financier confidence and advancing innovative renewable technologies.

“The various projects underway and in the pipeline clearly demonstrate there are a range of technology pathways to success with big solar. In the case of Moree Solar Farm, single-axis tracking is being used to capture more of the sun’s energy as it moves across the sky.”

CEFC CEO, Oliver Yates, said that by taking an abundant natural renewable resource and harnessing it to provide clean energy for our cities, the Moree Solar Farm was demonstrating how solar was set to play a major role in transforming Australia’s energy future while diversifying our regional economy.

“The Moree Solar Farm also demonstrated how innovative merchant energy based financing can be used to finance large-scale renewable energy projects in Australia,” Mr Yates said.

“The CEFC is pleased to see that each project built is more efficient and cost effective than the last and that this trend is continuing in Australia and around the world.

“As prices continue to fall, Australia will be able to tap this sustainable competitive resource to power the economy.”

The Moree Solar Farm project was awarded 2014 Asia Pacific Solar Transaction of the Year by IJ Global, an award which recognises excellence, achievement and innovation in energy and infrastructure finance.

Mr Yates said the CEFC would continue to work closely with ARENA to augment the deployment of emerging energy technologies across Australia.

ARENA is providing $101.7million funding support to Moree Solar Farm as well as driving knowledge sharing about the lessons learned during planning, design and construction.

The CEFC has provided a debt finance commitment of $46million.

150 jobs have been created since construction commenced in March 2015, with more than three quarters of these jobs taken up by local workers.

The ongoing operation of the project will also see five full time employees at the Moree Solar Farm.

Moree Solar Farm is scheduled for full completion in April 2016.

Related Posts

Image:  kstipek/stock.adobe.com

WA seeks industry feedback on future energy needs

by Sarah MacNamara
June 18, 2025

The Western Australian Government will engage with peak industry bodies to assess how the state can position its economy to...

The new community battery in Coburg. Image: Jemena

Jemena switches on new community battery

by Sarah MacNamara
June 18, 2025

Residents in Coburg are set to harness cheaper, cleaner and reliable energy, with Jemena and the Federal Government launching a...

Image: New South Wales Government

NSW Government unveils landmark VPP

by Sarah MacNamara
June 18, 2025

New South Wales is celebrating the launch of its first large-scale virtual power plant (VPP), aimed at managing the reliable...

Read our magazine

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.
Utility is the title of choice for decision makers at all levels of water and energy utilities, as well as other major players like consulting engineers and first-tier contractors. Utility is integrated across print and online, and explores the biggest news and issues across the utility industry. It is Australia’s only dedicated utility magazine, and covers all areas of the utility sector, including water and sewer, gas, electricity, communications and the NBN.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Utility

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Digital magazine
  • Events
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • News
  • Water
  • Electricity
  • Projects
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment
  • Spotlight
  • Civil Construction
  • Renewable Energy

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited