The Western Australian Government has approved a joint venture with Synergy, infrastructure investment company DIF and Australian industry super fund Cbus for the development of large-scale renewables projects in the state.
Under the joint venture, Synergy, DIF and Cbus have established ‘Bright Energy Investments’.
The group will deliver stage two of the Greenough River Solar Farm (GRSF2) south of Geraldton, increasing its capacity from 10MW to 40MW, as well as the refurbishment of Albany Grasmere Wind Farm.
Bright Energy Investments is also undertaking preparatory work on the development of a further proposed renewable energy project in the Warradarge Wind Farm (WWF).
RCR Tomlinson has been awarded the Engineering, Construction and Procurement (EPC) contract for the expansion of GRSF2, with an immediate project start and targeted completion in the second quarter of 2019.
The joint venture with DIF and Cbus is an important step to ensure Synergy meets its Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) obligations under Commonwealth legislation.
Under Commonwealth legislation, the LRET scheme requires 33,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy to be produced nationally by 2020 and those levels maintained until 2030.
WA Minister for Energy, Ben Wyatt, said, “The McGowan Labor Government is delighted to approve the partnership between Synergy, DIF and a large Australian industry superannuation fund for the development of significant renewable projects in the SWIS.
“Synergy has a long history of developing and operating renewable and other energy projects, including the development of Australia’s first commercial wind farm in Ten Mile Lagoon at Esperance, Australia’s then largest solar project – the Greenough River Solar Farm and the Albany Grasmere Wind Farm.
“The stage two of the Greenough River Solar Farm, the refurbishment of Albany Grasmere Wind Farm, and the proposed Warradarge Wind Farm demonstrates the McGowan Labor Government’s commitment to ensuring there is a sustainable plan for the state’s transition to a cleaner energy future.
“The Mid West is emerging as the epicentre for renewable energy projects in this state, comprising a land area amounting to one-fifth of the size of WA. The region also contains a diverse natural environment which can be utilised to generate economic opportunities.”
