Name and Location
Royalla 1 solar photovoltaic (PV) generating facility, Australia.

Client
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government.

Project Description
The project is located on farmland near the Monaro highway, in southern ACT. The PV array will cover an estimated 100 ha.

The project involves the construction, operation and decommissioning of a 40 MW alternating current (ac) PV array in two stages of 20 MWac each, the associated connections to the ACT power grid and other ancillary infrastructure.

Phase 1 of the wind farm will comprise about 83 000 PV panels and generate enough electricity to supply about 4 500 Canberra homes.

The solar facility will be connected to the grid through either a new underground 11 kV line, along a 132 kV powerline easement that connects the site to the nearby Theodore substation, or a new dedicated substation installed at the site, providing a direct connection to the existing 132 kV power lines.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Construction of Phase 1 of the facility is scheduled to begin in July 2013 and to be completed by April 2014, subject to environmental assessment and approval of the project by the ACT.

Phase 2 construction is expected to start in mid-2014 and to be completed by the first quarter of 2015.

Latest Developments
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) is seeking final permits for the construction of Phase 1 and the transmission project.
Once FRV has received these approvals, it will seek contractors and equipment suppliers and begin construction by the third quarter of 2013.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (PV plant).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
ACT, tel +61 13 22 81.
FRV, email info@frv.com.