Downer awarded Chichester Solar Farm contracts

21/10/2019

Downer is pleased to announce it has been awarded contracts worth approximately $165 million by Alinta Energy Transmission Pty Ltd (Alinta Energy) to build its 60 MW Chichester Solar Farm and supporting power infrastructure in the Pilbara region in the north of Western Australia as part of the Chichester Solar Gas Hybrid Project (Project).

The Project will see the construction of a new solar photovoltaic generation facility at the Fortescue Metals Group’s (Fortescue) Chichester Hub iron ore operations, as well as a ~60-kilometre transmission line linking the Fortescue’s Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mining operations with Alinta Energy’s Newman gas-fired power station and 35MW battery facility.

Work awarded includes the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of the Chichester Solar Farm, approximately 60 kilometres of transmission line, two new substations and the upgrade of another.

The Chief Executive Officer of Downer, Grant Fenn, said the award is another endorsement of Downer’s experience and leadership in delivering renewable energy projects.

“We are looking forward to delivering the project in partnership with Alinta Energy and we are expecting an efficient integration of the solar farm and supporting power infrastructure into Alinta Energy’s existing network in the Pilbara,” Mr Fenn said.

Alinta Energy Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Dimery, said: “Working together, we are on the cusp of demonstrating that renewables can drive Australia’s economic powerhouses forward – even for remote and complex industrial applications.”

Downer is one of Australia’s largest and most experienced providers in the renewable energy market and power systems sectors, delivering services to customers requiring both utility and commercial scale sustainable energy solutions.

The project is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021.