A new solar project in Australia has been inaugurated by ACEN Australia, a subsidiary of the Ayala energy platform. The project, called New England Solar Stage 1, is one of the largest in Australia to participate in the national electricity market. The first phase requires the installation of one million solar panels . Eventually ACEN Australia will have over 1 GW of capacity under construction. In development, this capacity will be more than 8 GW.
New England Solar: a major solar project in Australia
The New England Solar project has been under construction since March 2021, near Uralla in the New England Renewable Energy Zone. In 2020, the authority approved stage 1, which requires the installation of one million solar panels for a capacity of 521 MWdc (400 MWac). The project will produce 936 MWdc (720 MWac) to provide renewable energy to the national electricity market.
The project is fully funded by ACEN Australia. The company will invest over A$5 million in Uralla’s community grants over the next 25 years. The project has also received support from host landowners, First Nations peoples and the community of Uralla.
ACEN Australia CEO Anton Rohner said the event is crucial to the energy transition. In addition, he says ACEN Australia’s work is accelerating the energy transition in Australia, which is beginning with the New England Solar project.
ACEN Australia: a leader in renewable energy
ACEN Australia has over 1 GW of capacity under construction and over 8 GW under development. Its renewable energy assets include solar, wind, battery energy storage and hydroelectric projects throughout Australia. New England Solar is the company’s first operational project.
In closing, ACEN CEO Eric Francia said the milestone strengthens Australia’s energy security. In addition, this project allows for the development of its transition to a low-carbon future. They are working towards their goal of 20 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
