Canadian Solar has partnered with EPC provider Biosar Australia for the construction of a 256MW Kiamal solar plant, for Total Eren, in Australia.
Image: Canadian Solar to support 256MW solar plant in Australia. Photo: Courtesy of worradmu/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
For this project, Canadian Solar will supply over 720,000 of its 1500V KuMax modules, which will be installed on single-axis solar tracking systems. The Kiamal solar plant will be located 3km North of Ouyen township in Northwest Victoria and about 100km south of Mildura. The project has now entered into the construction phase.
It has secured several power purchase agreements (PPAs) with energy retailers including Flow Power and Alinta Energy and a 20-year PPA with Mars Australia.
The project is expected to reach commercial operations by the middle of next year. When completed, the solar plant will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 133,500 Victorian homes, while displacing more than 610,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The responsibility of the solar plant’s construction has been given to a turnkey consortium jointly led by Biosar Australia, part of the Greek infrastructure group Aktor, and Canadian Solar.
During the construction phase, the project is expected to generate nearly 200 local jobs and 7 jobs during the operational phase.
Canadian Solar chairman and CEO Shawn Qu said: “We are delighted to be selected by a very ambitious and professional IPP such as Total Eren to provide EPC services together with Biosar and to supply our 1500V crystalline module to this large-scale solar power project which was very diligently developed. This partnership further expands our presence and solidifies our competitive position in Australia.
“We are committed to providing customers in Australia and around the world with access to clean, affordable and reliable solar energy.”
Total Eren stated that it is working with TransGrid to provide a new 220kV Kiamal Terminal Station and Collector Substation, with transformers designed and manufactured locally by Wilsons Transformers in Victoria.
The company is also seeking to expand Kiamal Solar Farm with an addition of up to 194MW capacity in the second stage of the project.