The Glenellen Solar Farm is a 260MW Direct Current (dc)/ 200MW Alternating Current (ac) Photovoltaic (PV) Plant being constructed in New South Wales (NSW) in Australia.
The project, which was previously being developed by Trina Solar, is 100% owned by Global Power Generation Australia (GPGA).
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In December 2023, the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in NSW granted the development consent for the Glenellen Solar Farm. The project is estimated to entail an investment of A$250m ($157m).
The construction of the Glenellen PV plant commenced in September 2024. During construction, the project will create around 200 jobs.
Glenellen solar farm is expected to start renewable electricity production from the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025.
Once operational, the project will reduce carbon emissions by around 240,000 tonnes per year.
Glenellen Solar Farm Site Details
The Glenellen Solar Farm is being developed within the Riverina Murray region of New South Wales on an agricultural site.
The location is around 2km northeast of Jindera, New South Wales, within the Greater Hume Shire Local Government Area (LGA). The city of Albury is around 16km from the site.
Overall, the project site covers an area of 398 hectares (ha), with 309ha designated as the development footprint. After construction, the remaining land would continue to be used for agricultural purposes such as sheep grazing.
The site is accessible by Lindner Road from the south and Ortlipp Road from the west.
The solar farm also benefits from existing electricity transmission infrastructure which surrounds the site. Two 132kV transmission lines traverse the southern portion of the site, and a 330 kV TransGrid transmission line passes through the northern portion of the site.
Glenellen Solar Farm Details
The Glenellen Solar Farm, which will operate as an agrisolar facility, will consist of approximately 380,000 single axis tracking solar panels. The solar panels will be up to 5m in height.
A total of 36,973 piles would be driven at the project site.
Other infrastructure at site will include up to 60 power conversion units including inverters and transformers. The existing Jindera substation would be expanded, with new grid connection infrastructure. A new switch room would also be built.
The project will also include laying above and/or below ground cable infrastructure.
Ancillary infrastructure would comprise 11km of internal roads, staff amenities, buildings, offices, vegetation screening and security fencing, and parking among others.
The PV modules will capture solar energy to generate DC power, which will be then converted into AC by inverters.
The AC energy will be exported to the Australian electricity grid via the existing 33/132kV Jindera substation of Transgrid. The substation is connected to a 22 kilovolt (kV) distribution line.
Glenellen Solar Farm is expected to generate a total of 500GWh of energy per year. It will have an operational life of approximately 30 years, which can be extended via infrastructure upgrades.
Contractors Involved
In November 2024, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Glenellen Solar Farm was awarded to Monford, an Australian real estate builder and construction company.
Under the contract, Monford will supply civil, mechanical, electrical works, engineering, design, procurement, and commissioning services.
In September 2024, GPGA selected PVHardware (PVH), a Spanish solar energy equipment supplier, to supply solar tracking technology for the solar farm.
Maker ENG, an Australian civil engineer, was selected to provide a detailed survey and the concept and detailed design of multiple road and intersection upgrades.
The Accommodation and Employment Strategy (AES) report for the project was prepared by NGH Consulting, an Australian consulting firm.
Offtake Agreement
In September 2024, Australian telecommunication company Telstra signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with GPGA in relation with Glenellen Solar Farm.
Under the PPA, Telstra will receive 50% of the power generated by the solar farm. This represents nearly 210GWh of electricity per year, enough to power more than 37,000 homes and avoid around 130,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
