Solar Energy Project in Australian Capital Territory Garners Government Approval

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources Australia (Perth, Australia)--The government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has announced approval of the 20-megawatt (MW) Royalla solar project in Australia, proposed by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Australia Pty Limited (FRV) (Sydney, Australia). The power plant is set to power 4,500 homes and is expected to reduce approximately 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, as well as more than 20,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over 20 years.

When completed, the project is expected to deliver up to 20 MW to the electricity grid and support more than 60 jobs through construction over six months; operation of the solar farm will require five permanent employees.

The Royalla Solar Project underwent extensive environmental review and public comment, the company said. And the companies involved have agreed to undertake significant mitigation efforts to minimize impacts to wildlife, water, and historical, cultural and other resources.

In answering the allegations made by ACT residents, ACT Environment and Sustainable Development Minister Simon Corbel has levied a conditional approval for FRV to meet environmental approvals, including implementation of an environmental management agreement, waterway works licence, contamination assessment, environmental protection agreement, land management agreement and pollution control plans.

The project construction will include installation of 83,000 photovoltaic panels sprawling across 50 hectares near the Monaro Highway in the southern ACT.

According to the project manager, FRV will release tenders to select the major contractors on Industry Capability Network (ICN) by end of July 2013. Construction on the project will commence as soon as the contractors are selected, which is expected by end of 2013.

As part of the proposal for the solar project, FRV plans to construct either an 11-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to connect the site to the Theodore Substation, or build a new substation to provide a direct connection to the existing 132-kV powerlines. Grid connection alignment is still under discussion, and a final decision will be made soon.

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