Construction has begun on the Girgarre solar farm.
Construction of a solar farm at Girgarre is under way, with a targeted completion in early 2025.
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The $130 million project, on former farmland between Mason and Morrisey Rds, is expected to generate 200 gigawatt hours annually.
The constructing company, Enel Green Power Australia, says the mounting structures and tracking systems that support the solar modules are currently under construction, with the first six tracker rows completed.
Enel chief executive officer Werther Esposito said piling (the process of driving mounting piles into the ground) is ongoing across the site.
He said construction and assembly would continue over the coming months.
The company has been using part of the former Heinz factory in Girgarre as a temporary storage for some project materials and equipment.
A sod turning ceremony was conducted on the site in September.
Plans include the provision for a battery energy storage system to be constructed later.
Mr Esposito said the project was being connected to an existing powerline that runs past the site.
“There are some minor upgrades to the electrical infrastructure in an existing Powercor substation, and some smaller works that Powercor are taking the opportunity to complete at the same time,” he said.
“The solar farm will have an onsite substation to connect to the Powercor network, this is currently under construction.
Country News asked whether any of the solar panels originated from slave labour in the Chinese Xinjiang Province.
The solar panels used at Girgarre are sourced from the LONGi company, which has a commitment against forced labour.
An Enel spokesperson said none of the solar panels are made in China by the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province.
“Moreover, as stated in contractual clauses, LONGi warrants that the products offered and sold to the market comply with all applicable Forced Labour Laws.”
The progress on the solar farm looks like it will see a continuation of a successful private-public relationship with the Girgarre Development Group.
Prior to the start of construction the group negotiated the use of the former farm property to grow fodder crops, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars raised for community projects in Girgarre.
The group is now discussing further assistance on town projects with Enel.
Enel says it is engaged in a number of initiatives to benefit the local community.
Heavy machinery has been on the Girgarre site for several months.
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