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HOSTING EVENT: Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin was among those who viewed the test rigs at the SIMEC Energy Cultana Solar Farm last week.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
SIMEC Energy Australia last week invited Mayor Clare McLaughlin to the Cultana Solar Farm site to see a test rig and introduce a range of stakeholders to the project.
Below is the SIMEC statement.
Cultana Solar Farm Nearing Construction
SIMEC Energy Australia (SEA) continues to make progress on its Cultana Solar Farm project as it prepares for construction in early 2020.
With detailed designs being finalised, SEA recently hosted its leading debt arranger and syndicate banks, technical advisors, strategic contractors and government representatives at what will be the site of the Cultana Solar Farm.
SEA Chief Executive Marc Barrington said this was an exciting time, with the visit representing one of the final pieces of due diligence for the banks involved in the project.
“It’s great that a number of our key stakeholders can be here today to not only view the site – many for the first time – but also see the test panels and trackers in action,” Mr Barrington said.
EXAMPLE: One of the test rigs stakeholders were shown at the site of the Cultana Solar Farm last week.
“We’re nearing the culmination of a significant amount of work, which is exciting for SIMEC Energy and the local community. Soon our engineering, procurement and construction contractor, Shanghai Electric Corporation, will be able to begin recruitment for this landmark project – with a particular focus on employing locals first – and the community can start to see some significant action on the ground.”
The local community was also involved on the day, with local MPs and Whyalla City Council represented; as well as Barngarla Elder Barry Croft performing the Welcome to Country; and the CWA Norrie Branch’s June Phillips‐Smith and her team providing catering.
A test rig of almost 100 panels has been established onsite, designed to provide vital soil, solar and equipment constructability data. While an impressive array in its own right, the test rig pales in comparison to the 780,000 panels that will ultimately cover an area 550 times larger than Adelaide Oval, with the capacity to power almost 100,000 average homes.
“Within SIMEC Energy’s electricity portfolio, Cultana will enable lower‐cost energy for its existing and future retail electricity customer base,” Mr Barrington said.
“It will also play a key role in the broader market’s transition towards renewables.”