Australian energy retailer Origin has acquired an up to 900MW solar project in New South Wales (NSW) as part of plans to boost renewables in its portfolio.
The Yarrabee Solar Farm, in the Riverina district, consists of a 450MW initial project.
There is potential to double capacity, under planning approval obtained from the NSW government in December 2018.
Origin executive general manager of energy supply and operations Greg Jarvis said: “Origin aims to lead the energy transition to net zero emissions through cleaner energy and customer solutions, and the acquisition of the Yarrabee Solar Farm development project demonstrates further progress on this ambition.
“Our teams will now focus on progressing development activities prior to a final investment decision targeted over the next couple of years, subject to upgrades to the Transgrid transmission network.”
He said Origin continues to focus on the multi-gigawatt opportunity to grow renewable energy and storage, through developing greenfield sites or acquiring advanced stage pre-construction renewable projects like Yarrabee.
Yarrabee sits within an important part of the Transgrid transmission network, which is targeted for substantial upgrades to facilitate Snowy 2.0 and the South-West Renewable Energy Zone.
Origin recently also acquired the 74MW Carisbrook Solar Farm in central Victoria, which is targeted to reach commercial operations in 2023, subject to a final investment decision and other required approvals.
Yarrabee Solar Farm was co-developed by Reach Solar Energy and PwC Australia.
Reach Solar Energy was also responsible for developing the 220MW Bungala Solar Farm near Port Augusta in South Australia where Origin is the offtaker of all the power generated by the facility.