150 MW Solar Farm Completed Ahead of Schedule in Victoria
A new 150 megawatt solar farm, marking the initial phase of an extensive solar and battery hybrid project, has been completed ahead of schedule in north-west Victoria, as reported by its contractors.
Located at the Carwarp Energy Park near Mildura, this solar farm has been operational since late last year and has now reached “substantial completion,” according to Gransolar, the primary contractors for the project. The facility is owned by Recurrent Energy, a division of Canadian Solar.
Project Background and Development
Originally proposed as a 100 MW solar facility, Carwarp was one of six projects awarded contracts through the state’s Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) auctions back in 2018. This project represents the last among those six to be constructed.
The development faced delays due to grid issues in the region, often referred to as the “rhombus of regret.” However, it has since evolved into a more expansive solar and battery hybrid project, with plans for a 120 MW hybrid battery and a long-term offtake agreement with an undisclosed company.
Construction and Features
Gransolar, which secured the project contract in March of last year, has now successfully completed 14 large-scale photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage facilities across Australia, with three additional projects currently underway, totalling 850 MWdc and 650 megawatt hours of storage capacity.
The Carwarp solar farm comprises 243,000 high-efficiency Canadian Solar TOPCon modules and features AxoneDuo Infinity single-axis trackers designed by PV Hardware. It connects to the new terminal station through a 6.7 km, 220 kV overhead line, constructed by Green Grid Connect, which is also part of the Gransolar Group.
Impact on Local Communities
Dylan Marx, CEO of Recurrent Energy, expressed pride in the successful completion of Carwarp Energy Park, stating, “Reaching commercial operation demonstrates our capability to develop and deliver high-quality, large-scale renewable infrastructure safely and efficiently.”
He further noted that Carwarp serves as a prime example of effective collaboration and project execution, providing significant benefits to local communities while playing a role in Australia’s energy transition towards a cleaner and more resilient energy system.
