Eni Australia Limited has completed the acquisition of a project to build a photovoltaic system from 33,7 MWp in Katherine, in the Northern Territory in Australia. Once completed, the project will give life to the largest photovoltaic power plant in the region
Eni Australia Ltd has completed the acquisition of the project for the construction of the photovoltaic power plant at Katherine, in the Northern Territory in Australia, by Katherine Solar Pty Ltd, a joint venture composed of the Australian Epuron and the British Island Green Power.
Once completed, the project will allow the realization of the largest photovoltaic power plant ever built in the Northern Territory with an installed capacity of 33,7 MWp (Mega Watt peak). The power plant, powered by photovoltaic panels, will be equipped with an energy storage system, the capacity of 5,7 MVA / 2,9MWh (Mega Volt Ampere and Megawatt now) composed of batteries and, with a view to optimization and innovation of processes, weather forecasting technologies. Thanks to these technologies, the plant will be able to anticipate and compensate for any less solar radiation, drawing on the storage systems connected to it, so as to minimize the impact on the network. Epuron will maintain an active role in the management of the assets of the plant once operational.
Construction work will begin in the next few weeks and the plant will become commercially operational in the fourth quarter of 2019.
This project will contribute to the achievement of the Northern Territory government's goal of producing 50% of energy from renewable sources by 2030. The photovoltaic plant in operation will prevent the emission of approximately 63,000 tons of CO2 per year into the atmosphere.
The initiative marks Eni's entry into the Australian renewables market, and joins Eni's oil & gas activities already present in the country.
Eni is present in Australia by 2000 through its subsidiary Eni Australia Ltd, is operator and owner of 100% of the Blacktip Gas Project and has a non-operating participation in the gas and condensate field of Bayu-Undan and in the associated Darwin LNG plant.