ACCIONA and Gransolar (GRS) to construct one of Australia’s largest photovoltaic plants

The Lilyvale photovoltaic plant will be constructed as a turnkey project for Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, with a capacity of 100 MWac.

A joint venture between ACCIONA Industrial and Gransolar (GRS), led by GRS, is set to construct one of Australia’s largest photovoltaic plants.

The Lilyvale Solar Farm will have a capacity of 100 MWac, and the project will be carried out as a turnkey or EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contract for global solar developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV). The works have already begun and the project should be completed by the end of 2018.

The new plant is located in Lilyvale, 50 km north east of Emerald in the state of Queensland. The plant will cover approximately 396 hectares and will consist of 379,260 photovoltaic modules with single-axis tracking systems and 25 transformer centres. Approximately 200 workers will be involved in its construction and, once operational, the plant will supply clean energy to more than 45,000 households in the region, preventing the emission of 175.000 tons of CO2 every year.

Cameron Garnsworthy, Managing Director of FRV Australia, highlighted the importance that the project has for the generation of clean energy in the country. “Lilyvale Solar Farm – along with FRV’s other large-scale solar developments installed or under construction, will contribute around 280 MWac of clean energy capacity and brings the total value of FRV’s solar investments in the Australian renewable energy sector to around A$ 700 million (US$ 550 million)”.

“We are proud to be working with Australian companies and authorities to drive forward a competitive renewable sector,” he added.

“ACCIONA has a significant presence in Australia, and this project represents another step in our commitment to developing sustainable and innovative infrastructure in the country. As part of this strategy, at the start of this year ACCIONA acquired Geotech Group, which is also working on Lilyvale through its John Beever Australia business.” said Ramón Jiménez, Managing Director of ACCIONA Industrial.

“GRS continues to expand internationally, launching its first project in Australia having developed and constructed plants in Europe, America, Africa and the Middle East. Australia marks an important qualitative step, because it’s a very important market for us with major investment expected in photovoltaic solar energy in the coming years”, explained Domingo Vegas, Chairman of Gransolar.

ACCIONA and Gransolar (GRS) have extensive experience of constructing large-scale photovoltaic plants, both proprietary and for third-party clients.Recently awarded projects include construction of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (Phase III) in Dubai in a consortium with Ghella, which will be the world’s largest photovoltaic plant once completed with a peak capacity of 1,054 MW.