In a major development for Australia’s renewable energy capacity, Pacific Partnerships, a CIMIC Group subsidiary, has acquired the development rights for the 700-megawatt Cobbora Solar Farm in New South Wales. The project will also feature a co-located battery energy storage system (BESS) to support grid stability.
Pacific Partnerships Acquires Project from Marble Energy
The project development rights were acquired from Marble Energy, a renewable energy developer based in Sydney.
The Cobbora Solar Farm
“The Cobbora Solar Farm will be located on a low, undulating landscape well-suited for solar farm installation. We anticipate further assistance throughout the project’s development stages,” said Tim Kirk, Marble Energy Co-Director.
“Pacific Partnerships’ acquisition of the development rights provides great confidence in the project’s success and its ability to deliver sustainable, affordable, and reliable power to homes and businesses throughout NSW for the long term,” said Gordon Ou, Marble Energy Co-Director.
Pacific and UGL Collaborate on Cobbora Solar Project
Pacific Partnerships will manage the project’s execution and long-term operations through its energy arm, Pacific Partnerships Energy. UGL, another CIMIC Group company, will be responsible for the construction of the solar farm and battery energy storage system. Following completion, UGL will also provide ongoing operation and maintenance services.
CIMIC Chairman Juan Santamaria said: “CIMIC is committed to Australia’s energy transition and is actively developing large-scale renewable generation assets and infrastructure to support this effort. NSW is a key focus in our strategic expansion of a diversified national portfolio, contributing to the Australian Government’s goals of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”
Once operational, the Cobbora facility will be one of Australia’s largest solar farms. This project is Pacific’s latest large-scale solar endeavor, expanding a portfolio that includes the recently completed 102 MW Glenrowan Solar Farm in Victoria and the 250 MW Hopeland Solar Farm currently in development in Queensland.
Cobbora PV Park to Power 280,000 Homes and Support Sheep Grazing
The Cobbora PV park is planned for a 3,000-hectare (7,413-acre) site east of Dubbo. Situated on predominantly cleared grazing land, the project is designed to allow for agricultural co-use, enabling sheep grazing to continue once the park is operational.
“The solar farm can generate enough clean, renewable energy to power approximately 280,000 average-sized homes. It also has space for up to 1,600 MWh of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to supply power as needed,” said Doug Moss, UGL Managing Director.
Cobbora Solar Farm EIS Timeline
An environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Cobbora project is scheduled for submission to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment by late 2024. Following submission, the EIS will be placed on public exhibition to gather feedback from the community and stakeholders.
Construction is planned to begin in 2025, with the Cobbora Solar Farm projected to start exporting power to the grid by 2028.
The Cobbora Solar Farm represents a significant investment in Australia’s renewable energy infrastructure and is poised to play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainable development.
