Downer secures $200m contract for works on QLD Ross River Solar Farm

Construction has commenced on Palisade Investment Partners and ESCO Pacific’s Ross River Solar Farm near Townsville in Queensland, with Downer EDI winning the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract as well as Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract valued at approximately $200 million.

“We look forward to working closely with Palisade and ESCO to deliver the Ross River Solar Farm, one of Australia’s largest solar energy projects,” said Downer Chief Executive Officer Grant Fenn.

The 148MW Ross River Solar Farm - which has a project value of $225 million -  is going to be built on a 202-hectare former mango plantation and it will feature about 420,000 monocrystalline solar PV modules which has a 13-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EnergyAustralia.

“We are delighted to work with Downer to build this standout project in North Queensland which delivers on Palisade’s renewables strategy and diversifies our portfolio of operational wind assets,” said palisade Managing Director and CEO Roger Lloyd.

“We’re pleased to partner with Downer on what is a landmark project. Downer’s experience in delivering high quality renewable energy projects was a critical factor in their selection as preferred construction partner and we look forward to Downer delivering the project over the coming months,” said ESCO Managing Director Steve Rademaker.

Downer has already been issued a notice to proceed with construction under their EPC contract, with works expected to take 12 months to complete.

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Source: Downer Group and Ross River Solar Farm