Global utility-scale solar developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) announced Tuesday that it has signed a power purchase agreement with Ergon Energy — the Queensland Government-owned electricity retailer — for the proposed 100MW (125MW DC) Lilyvale Solar Farm project.
The PPA, which will see Ergon Energy purchase 100% of the electricity and all large scale renewable energy certificates (LRECs) produced by the installation, will go into effect once the project is completed – which is expected to be near the end of 2018.
The announcement stands as the third PPA that FRV has signed in Australia over the last 12 months, following PPAs with Origin Energy for the Moree Solar Farm in NSW and the Clare Solar Farm, near Ayr in North Queensland.
Cameron Garnsworthy, FRV’s Australian managing director, said: “Using commercially-proven, single axis tracking technology, FRV will provide Ergon with significantly greater commercial value by maximizing output from the Lilyvale Solar Farm over longer periods in the day. FRV continues to demonstrate strong performance in securing long term PPAs to underpin its landmark solar power projects in Australia.”
The proposed solar farm is located 50 kilometres northeast of Emerald in the Queensland Central Highlands region, and is expected to generate enough energy to power around 45,000 homes upon completion.