The plant will generate around 235 GWh of clean energy annually at full capacity, which is expected to avoid more than 160,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. With 120 MW of peak output, this project is Amp Australia’s largest operating asset to date.
Hillston Sun Farm reached full production in March 2022, ahead of schedule, less than three months after its first energisation. The plant will produce around 235 GWh/year, enough energy to meet the electricity demand of 48,000 homes. Hillston will thus avoid the emission of around 200,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, the same amount generated by 68,000 motor vehicles.
Gransolar delivered the EPC for this project, in which ISE (the group’s engineering division) has developed the engineering, and PVH has supplied the trackers and managed the monitoring systems. Gransolar will also manage the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the plant to optimise all phases of the project. This is Gransolar’s second project with Amp in Australia following the Molong Solar Farm PV project. With more than 1GW contracted in Australia, Gransolar is one of the strongest players in the Australian solar market.
A promising scenario for Australia’s zero-emission target
“This type of project is the successful result of a great team effort in which we have worked with companies such as GRS, PVH and ISE to complete this 120 MW PV plant for Amp Australia,” said Carlos López, Managing Director of Gransolar in Australia. According to him, “this type of project presents a promising scenario in terms of sustainability and the development of new forms of clean and profitable electricity generation, thus contributing to the goal of penetration of renewables in the electricity system”.
About 300 employeeshave been involved in the construction of Hillston Sun Farm. In addition, a group of 10 local workers will be trained to carry out contracted operation and maintenance work for a minimum of two years, which could include an extension for a further five years.
This new project shows the advantage of the group’s vertical integration, and takes the company beyond the 1 GW already awarded in Australia. Gransolar continues to grow on its journey to lead the global energy transformation through continuous improvement and the consolidation of sustainable, safe and efficient energy models in the communities in which it operates.
