NSW solar farm to supply Microsoft data centres now fully operational

A 300 megawatt (MW) solar farm (353 MW peak) that will supply American software and technology giant Microsoft with power for its data centres in Australia is now fully operational, almost a year after first power was sent to the grid.

Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) Australia, the local subsidiary of the eponymous Spanish renewable energy company, says the Walla Walla solar farm in the Riverina region of NSW is the largest in its portfolio and consists of approximately 700,000 solar panels using single axis tracking technology.

FRV signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft in 2021 for an unnamed portion of the power generated by Walla Walla.

It’s taken nearly a year for the Walla Walla Solar Farm to progress from sending first power to the grid to becoming fully operational. FRV announced in November of last year that the solar farm had generated first power.

“Walla Walla is our largest project in Australia and a strong demonstration of our commitment to the country’s renewable energy goals,” said Carlo Frigerio, CEO of FRV Australia.

“It reflects the capability of our team to deliver complex infrastructure and the strength of our partnerships with global leaders like Microsoft”

FRV built some of the first large scale solar projects in Australia, and now has 11 projects in operation or under construction and recently announced financial close for the 250MW/500 MWh Gnarwarre battery project.

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