By STEFAN BRADLEY
CONSTRUCTION has begun on the Fulham Solar Farm and battery, with the occasion marked with a sod turning at the site, with representatives of the state government, Wellington Shire Council and project developer Octopus Investments Australia.
The Fulham Solar Farm is supported by the second Victorian Renewable Energy Target auction (VRET2) – a scheme set up to deliver more renewable energy into the grid.
Octopus said the project is one of the first “DC-coupled solar and battery hybrid assets” in Australia, which aims to improve grid reliability.
The 80 megawatt (MW) solar farm will be coupled with a 64 MW/128 MWh battery – which will take the renewable energy from the sun during the day and dispatch it back into the grid during peak demand.
Octopus Australia is a renewable energy fund manager and developer who are taking charge of the construction and operation of the project, investing more than $300 million.
The project is also supported by equity capital contributions through Octopus’ managed funds from key investors, including Rest, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), and clients of Westpac Private Bank.
State Energy and Resources Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio said the project would support 156 local jobs and generate enough electricity to power 40,000 homes.
“I’m really pleased to see another renewable energy project here in the heart of Gippsland. It’s a region that we know has had a very, very proud history of power generation, not only supplying Victoria with cheap energy for decades, but many other states also,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
Sonia Teitel, co-managing director of Renewables Australia and Octopus Australia said: “The successful close of Fulham Solar Farm and battery marks a major step forward in our mission to accelerate Australia’s energy transition”.
“This project demonstrates our ability to bring together institutional capital, government support, and leading-edge technology to create renewable assets that provide long-term benefits to our communities and investors. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s efforts in bringing the project through development, and we look forward to beginning construction,” Ms Teitel said.
Octopus Australia senior development manager Jaryd Revere said the project would be operational in 2027 and the location was chosen because it was close to existing infrastructure.
“It’s been in development for about four-to-five years… it’s within the AusNet distribution network,” Mr Revere said.
There’s a 66kV distribution line that runs to the south, only a couple of kilometres away. So that provides a point of connection into existing infrastructure.”
The project will see $3 million towards engagement and benefit sharing with the local community for the 35-year operational life of the project – this will make sure that regional towns get additional benefits for hosting renewable energy projects. Mr Revere said includes a community benefits fund of $50,000 during the project’s first year of operations.
Octopus Australia is also backing the proposed Giffard Wind Farm and Battery onshore wind project.
Wellington Shire Mayor, Scott Rossetti said it was exciting to see the shovels in the ground for the project.
“It’s a real step change with the efficiency, with the DC-coupled solar, which I can see eyes glazing over when they talk about that. But as an electrician, I understand it’s getting that efficiency in our system, so you can actually put as much back into the grid as possible from what you’ve generated during the day,” Cr Rossetti said.
“We’re looking forward to more projects like this. Gippsland, clearly, is an energy hub… we’re really pleased to be able to support it as a council.
“And certainly what it does for our economy, where it brings jobs and activity into our centres is also super important for our communities.”
The government said the project will also use 67 per cent of local services, goods and materials during construction and 97 per cent once operational.
Last month, Shadow Energy and Resources Manager, David Davis said the state government was mismanaging the energy grid, increasing costs.
“After 11 years in government, Labor is still failing struggling families and small businesses, delivering consistently high electricity prices that continue to hurt Victorians and their budgets,” Mr Davis said.
“These soaring electricity costs should have eased by now, yet they remain stuck at unaffordable levels because of the Allan Labor Government’s mismanagement of the energy grid, making life even harder during a cost-of-living crisis.
Member for Eastern Victoria, Tom McIntosh said the Fulham project would “generate new jobs and opportunities for local supply chains, boosting investment in the local economy”.
The project was welcomed by environmental justice group Friends of the Earth.
