Terregra completes its first 5MW fully ‘merchant solar’ farm in South Australia

Indonesia-based Terregra Renewables says it has successfully commissioned its first Australian based solar farm, with the 5MW Mobilong solar farm in South Australia commencing first generation.

The Mobilong solar farm, located near Murray Bridge, around 65kms east of Adelaide, consists of over 15,600 solar panels, created more than 50 jobs during the construction phase, and engaged local suppliers and service providers.

Generation from the solar farm, which is expected to operate over a 30-year life, will be sold through a merchant off-take arrangement, a positive sign for renewables projects that have often relied on the security of power purchase agreements to gain finance.

“This is a great achievement for Terregra Renewables and is our first operating project in Australia,” director of Terregra Renewables Graham Pearson said in a statement.

“It was pleasing to see so many high-quality local businesses involved in the project. This will continue during the operation phase with local tradespeople already contracted to provide maintenance services for the next few years.”

“From the start, we wanted to develop high-quality projects, be good neighbours and bring positive benefits to the local community.”

Balance Utility Solutions was selected to provide EPC services to the project, and commenced works in January.

Terregra Renewables, which is owned by Indonesian based PT Terregra Asia Energy Tbk, hopes to expand upon the completion of the Mobilong solar farm, with a pipeline of additional projects in the works, having already amassed a growing portfolio of hydroelectric, and pumped hydro energy storage projects in Indonesia.

The company already has another 5MW solar farm under construction, the Moyhall Solar Farm at Naracoorte, located close to the South Australian-Victoria border, and is aiming to establish a 35MW portfolio of 5MW solar projects across South Australia.

“Our focus is on developing and operating 5MW solar projects across Australia,” Pearson added.

“We have an exciting pipeline of projects and we look forward to bringing more into operation over the coming year.”