Construction Team Set for Largest Solar-Battery Hybrid in WA
Perth-based clean energy developer Frontier Energy has announced that it has finalised all significant contracts to commence work later this month on the initial phase of what is set to become the largest solar and battery hybrid installation on the main grid in Western Australia.
The Waroona Renewable Energy Project is aiming for an ambitious scale over the long term, with its first phase designed to co-locate a 132 megawatt (MW) solar farm alongside a 6.9-hour, 81.5 MW battery system.
Project Details and Location
Located approximately 120 kilometres south of Perth, the hybrid project is engineered to harness solar power during daylight hours while storing electricity to be dispatched into the grid during peak evening hours.
In July, Frontier Energy revealed that it had secured a comprehensive funding package to finance the initiative, obtaining credit-approved commitments for project finance debt facilities totalling around AUD 280 million, which includes a construction facility of up to AUD 250 million.
Throughout its development, the Waroona Renewable Energy Project has undergone several configurations and has now received all necessary approvals from both state and federal authorities.
Financial Backing and Contract Execution
The project also benefits from an underwriting agreement under the federal government’s Capacity Investment Scheme, which provides financial support should other sales revenues fall short of certain thresholds. While the specific amount remains unspecified, if it is classified under “other” in relevant graphs, its impact is deemed minor.
Recently, Frontier announced that it had executed all major contracts for the project’s development. Fixed-price agreements have been established for all essential equipment and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) works. This includes partnerships with leading global suppliers such as Longi for solar panels, Trina Storage for battery systems, Nextpower for solar tracker systems, and SMA Australia for solar inverters.
Contracts have also been inked with the Monford Group for EPC services, and connection with Western Power is now unconditional, allowing for the export of up to 99 MW and the import of up to 95 MW of electricity.
Company Statements and Future Prospects
“This represents a significant milestone for Frontier,” stated Jamie Cullen, the executive chairman of Frontier Energy. “We have now obtained the complete set of contracts required to deliver Stage One of our Waroona Project, positioning the company as the largest solar battery energy storage system (BESS) hybrid power producer in Western Australia.”
Cullen further added, “The state is in need of new generation capabilities to facilitate the planned phase-out of ageing fossil fuel plants while catering to the increasing demand from data centres and growing populations. Stage One marks our initial step in addressing this need.”
Looking ahead, Frontier plans to implement additional stages of the project, potentially expanding total capacity to around 1,000 MW, with up to 660 MW of battery storage.
“With only 300 of our 830 hectares of grid-adjacent freehold land earmarked for Stage One, our team is rapidly progressing toward Stage Two,” Cullen mentioned on Tuesday. “We are fully funded, fully contracted, and poised for construction.”
