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BRIGHT DAY: Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer talks with South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and SSE Australia Projects Director Colin Gillam at the official opening of the SSE Australia solar farm in Whyalla.
Mayor Lyn Breuer said it was another proud day for the city and the region as the SSE Australia Whyalla Solar Farm was officially opened today.
The 6MW DC solar farm on Edwards Road in Whyalla is the first utility scale solar project to be completed in South Australia. It is stage 1 of a 3-stage project within the Whyalla industrial zone totalling 18MW. The project commenced construction in January 2017.
The farm was officially opened by the Premier of South Australia Jay Weatherill today (Tuesday, January 23).
Mayor Breuer declared it was yet another sign Whyalla was motoring ahead as an industrial powerhouse while being driven by a renewable energy focus.
“This project started early last year and shows Whyalla wasn’t sitting idle even when there was uncertainty over the future of the former Arrium-owned steelworks,” Mayor Breuer said.
“As a council, we’ve always had confidence in our economy and this was recognised by SSE Australia in starting this project and following through with this magnificent new solar farm.
“With GFG Alliance adding to the renewable energy push in Whyalla, SSE Australia will be expanding on this farm and there are more and more companies interested in becoming a part of the booming Whyalla economy.
“With the help of companies like SSE Australia and the State Government, Whyalla and our sister cities of Port Augusta and Port Pirie are leading the renewable energy revolution while, at the same time, providing jobs and employment security for our people.
“Congratulations to SSE Australia on this wonderful new facility and welcome to Whyalla, the powerhouse city of the Eyre Peninsula and South Australia.”
Major Projects Director of SSE Australia, Colin Gillam said “While South Australia has led the country in policy and support for renewable energy, this is the first utility scale solar project to commence construction and be commissioned.
“We are delighted to have the Premier back again to see us deliver on our promise to be part of the solution to South Australia’s energy future.”
The project is located on 10ha of land in the Whyalla Industrial Estate. It uses 17,280 solar panels and 180 SSE solar inverters converting power ready for export direct to the SA electricity network.
It is anticipated it will generate 10GWh, enough to power 1400 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 7500 tonnes per annum. Space on site has been allocated for a battery expansion in the future.
It has employed around 20 people for the past 12 months, with most of these coming from Whyalla itself, bringing investment and employment to the region.
“It is part of our company’s priority to employ and train as many local workers and contractors as possible,” Mr Gillam said.
“Having skilled up a great local team, we are now able to immediately engage them on stages 2 and 3 in Whyalla.”
Mr Gillam also paid tribute to the Whyalla council, Member for Giles Eddie Hughes and the region’s community for embracing this project.
“We also want thank Whyalla Council, its Mayor, councillors and the very supportive team who have assisted us in delivering this project,” Mr Gillam said.
“The community should also be grateful for the enthusiasm and persistence of their local state MP Eddie Hughes, whose vision to get solar to Whyalla ensured it was on top of our list of project sites.”
Mr Gillam said the key commercial project partners included panel supplier Jinergy, the project’s future owners BECE, retailer NBE which is buying the power, mounting supplier Mibet, Whyalla Earthworks, CTI Solar, Ewings Contractors and former South Australian Gary Seaton and his company Sunmania.
Mr Gillam said that while the project had a number of delays due to more rock and heavy rain than anticipated, the project partners remained positive and supportive and ultimately succeeded in delivering a high quality project.
“We now look forward to continuing construction of the next projects in Whyalla and SA,” Mr Gillam said.
“By the end of 2018 we plan to complete another4 similar projects in the region.”
PICTURE ABOVE: City of Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer, Councillor Sarah Minney, Member for Giles Eddie Hughes, Councillor Clare McLaughlin, Councillor David Knox and Councillor Rick Santucci at the opening of the SSE Australia solar farm.
GOOD NEWS: South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill, Member for Giles Eddie Hughes, BECE Chief Operating Officer Ye Wang, Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer and SSE Australia's Colin Gillam at the opening of the SSE Australia solar farm.
IMPRESSIVE: An aerial view of the SSE Australia solar farm in Whyalla