Pacific Partnerships to develop 700 MWac solar farm in Australia

This can power up to 280,000 homes.

CIMIC Group company Pacific Partnerships is set to build the 700 megawatt, alternating current (MWac) Cobbora Solar Farm and co-located large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project in New South Wales which will be one of the largest solar farms in Australia.

Pacific Partnerships, through its energy unit Pacific Partnerships Energy, will develop, invest, and manage delivery and operations of the Cobbora Solar Farm and BESS.

Meanwhile, UGL will undertake early works, develop the project solution, and provide operation and maintenance services once completed, Pacific Partnerships said.

UGL Managing Director Doug Moss said the solar farm can power around 280,000 average-sized homes. The facility also has an area that can accommodate up to 1,600 megawatt-hour of BESS to supply energy on demand, he added.

The Cobbora Solar Farm will connect to the national network via infrastructure to be delivered by EnergyCo NSW as part of the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said New South Wales is part of the company’s strategic new energy focus as it expands its portfolio of assets and contributes to the Australian government's net zero emissions target by 2050.

An Environmental Impact Statement for the Cobbora Solar Farm will be submitted to the New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment in late 2024. This will then be published for community and stakeholder feedback.