Mojo Power signs long term contract for new solar farm in Victoria

Energy retailer Mojo Power says it has signed a long term contract to take the output of a new solar farm in north-west Victoria, a 7.4MW (AC) solar facility that will be developed by Suntech and is due to be completed early next year.

Mojo CEO Warren Murphy says the contract with the solar farm in Robinvale, about 93kms south east of Mildura, is the first such deal it has done directly with a wind or solar farm, but won’t be the last.

“We are delighted to be able to announce the first of what we hope to be many solar farms in partnership with Suntech,” Murphy said in a statement.

He later told RenewEconomy another two solar deals will be announced soon, both around 40MW or more (one in NSW and one in Queensland, and only one of them with Suntech).

“The Robinvale Solar Farm is one of a number of renewable energy power plants we intend to source for wholesale power,” he said. “It is part of a broader plan to source renewables across the eastern states allowing customers to take charge of their energy costs.”

Murphy said the smaller sized solar farms were better suited for Mojo’s load. It has 60,000 customers so far, and Murphy says a lot of its own customers have solar.

The 9.4MW (DC) and 7.4MW (AC) will be located on Pethard Road, Robinvale, and will be 100 per cent owned by Suntech.

It is expected to be in service by April next year, although it is located in an area of the grid where the output of solar farms has been curtailed by the grid operator due to system strength issues. However, its size may mean that it can duck the issues afflicting larger solar plants.