Defence signs contract to power Darwin bases with solar and battery storage

Plans to use solar and battery storage to shore up the energy security of two army bases in the Northern Territory are underway, after contracts were signed for the delivery of 14MW of solar PV and battery storage across two Darwin sites.

Australia’s Department of Defence launched a tender for the job in late 2017, with the aim of sourcing up to 40 per cent of Robertson Barracks and RAAF Darwin’s electricity requirements from the two solar farms.

In a statement on Thursday, Lendlease said it had secured a contract with Australia’s Department of Defence to deliver the projects, in partnership with Capella Capital.

The contract will see Lendlease deliver the engineering, procurement and construction works, including the design of the solar and battery solution, and procurement, installation and commissioning of the of the system.

One completed, Lendlease will also operate and maintain the system.

Defence’s renewable energy and energy security program manager, Allan O’Connor, said the deal was the first solar PPA undertaken by the department.

“We look forward to working closely with Capella Capital and Lendlease to prove this type of project and achieve utility savings and improved energy security outcomes on the Defence estate,” he said.

Capella Capital – an entity set up by Lendlease to originate private public partnerships with governments – said the Department of Defence had demonstrated “vision” in progressing the solar project.

“We look forward to a great partnership with the Department of Defence … on developing and delivering this innovative project,” said Capella Capital director Edward Hart.

“This project is also a good demonstration of Lendlease’s growing expertise in battery, renewable and energy solutions.”

Works are scheduled to begin in the next two months and completion expected in the first quarter of 2020.