Chinese PV module manufacturer Risen Energy has broken ground on its 121MW Yarranlea solar farm project, to be built with an estimated investment of A$200m ($150.98m) in Queensland, Australia.
Image: Risen Energy Australia project development and investment director John Zhong. Photo: courtesy of PRNewsfoto/Risen Energy Co., Ltd.
The Chinese firm said that construction of the new Queensland solar farm is slated to be completed by the end of March 2019. Following its completion, the Yarranlea solar farm will be linked to the grid managed by the National Electricity Market.
Risen Energy will own and operate the completed solar power facility, which was acquired Icubed consulting in February.
Queensland Energy Minister Anthony Lynham said: “Risen Energy is already a part of Queensland’s renewables sector with its panels used in a number of large-scale and commercial projects but this is the first instance in which Risen has taken on a direct role.
“This project also joins other renewable projects dotted along this region’s landscape including the Oakey and Darling Downs solar projects and the Coopers Gap Wind Farm.”
The new solar farm, located about 50km southwest of Toowoomba, will generate 264GWh of power annually to meet the electricity needs of about 32,000 homes. It will deliver clean power to Toowoomba and Darling Downs while offsetting 124,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Spanning an area of around 250 hectares, the Yarranlea solar farm will feature about 400,000 modules manufactured by Risen Energy. The company is also handling the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) part of the project and the follow-up adjustment and calibration.
Risen Energy Australia project development and investment director John Zhong said: “The project has also received regulatory approval for the development of integrated energy storage. We have set up specific zones for energy storage onsite.
“The competence in energy storage means spare electricity in the daytime could be stored and used during peak periods and at night, further enhancing profitability and reducing power generation costs of the Yarranlea station.”
Zhong also revealed that Risen Energy plans to expand its presence in Australia in the coming five years, with a capacity goal of 1GW. Apart from Queensland, the Chinese solar company will also target other Australian states, particularly Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia.