Largest solar power plant in the Southern Hemisphere powering NSW homes

The largest solar power plant in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, based in Nyngan, NSW, is fully operational and has generated 60,000 MWh of renewable energy to date, according to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

Since achieving full generation in June 2015, the plant has reportedly been sending 102 MW of solar-generated electricity into the National Electricity Market.

The solar plant, a partnership between AGL Energy (AGL) and First Solar, has involved the installation of 1.36 million solar PV modules and is expected to produce around 230,000 MWh of electricity annually, which can meet the needs of around 33,000 NSW homes.

ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht said the successful beginning of Nyngan’s operations was a significant milestone in the development of Australia’s large-scale solar sector.

“AGL’s Solar Project at Nyngan and Broken Hill represents a big investment by the company and also by ARENA,” said Frischknecht.

“It’s already achieving one of ARENA’s key aims of increasing the amount of renewable energy in Australia.

“And the knowledge gained from its successful launch and ongoing operations will lead to further improvements in technology and reductions in costs for the sector.”

Total capital expenditure for the Nyngan and Broken Hill Solar Plant is about $440 million, with $166.7 million being provided by ARENA and $64.9 million funded by the NSW Government.

Frischknecht said the $290 million Nyngan solar plant has been successfully delivered on time and on budget.

“Nyngan becomes the third large-scale solar plant in Australia to begin generating power, after Royalla (ACT) and Greenough River (WA). Nyngan’s ‘twin’ plant at Broken Hill will soon begin operation and Moree Solar Farm is expected to produce power in early 2016.”

ARENA is expected to soon launch its competitive funding round for large-scale solar projects, which will see the next generation of solar farms built across the country.

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