Sterling & Wilson plans to build 500MW of solar capacity in Australia

India-based EPC firm Sterling and Wilson plans to build 500MW of solar projects in Australia over the coming three years, requiring investments of AU$600 million (US$459 million).

The company announced it expects to employ 750 people over the course of this construction as part of its expansion into Australia, complemented by the company recently opening up an office in Brisbane.

Sterling and Wilson is already highly active outside India and many other Indian firms are looking abroad. The Indian market is in a hiatus at present with tender activity slowing right down over the course of this year.

Bikesh Ogra, chief executive, Renewable Energy, Sterling and Wilson, said: “Australia is witnessing a solar boom, as the country has had a phenomenal year with respect to large-scale solar projects. The solar industry has also seen a sharp decline in costs, and is seen as a pivotal force to help the country achieve its renewable energy targets by 2020.”

The firm claims to be the largest EPC player in the world outside China and the US, having constructed more than 1,930MW of capacity across various geographies including India, the Philippines and South Africa. Currently it is constructing the 1,177 MW Sweihan solar PV plant in Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest single location plant, and a number of projects in Zambia, Niger and Morocco. 

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