PROJECT STORY
The challenge
To help Victoria reduce its greenhouse gas emissions with the planning of the 80MW Wunghnu Solar Farm.
Wunghnu Solar Farm
Helping Victoria move towards a clean energy future
The solution
We drew on our Australian engineering expertise, local knowledge and strong relationships with government to review and optimise the existing design for the solar farm and to obtain permits for the new design.
The impact
Our revised design resulted in cost savings for the project and we prepared detailed electrical, civil and environmental designs for the solar farm in preparation for the commencement of construction, following full permit approval.
80MW
generation capacity of the Wunghnu Solar Farm
20,000
homes that could be powered by the solar farm
The challenge
As producers of renewable energy, solar farms have a major role to play in global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. At the same time, they are hugely complex projects, requiring detailed engineering and construction plans and a large number of complicated planning and environmental permits before construction can get underway.
-
READ MORE
X-ELIO is an experienced solar farm developer and operator with generation sites around the world, but the company is new to Australia and needed some local support to ensure it was in compliance with local regulations and could obtain all the necessary permits.
Arcadis was retained to provide Australian engineering expertise and local knowledge and to draw on our strong relationships with government. We reviewed and optimized the existing design for the windfarm and then obtained permits for the revised design.
The solution
First up, we assessed and revised the existing design and settled on a final finished design. We optimized the layout of the solar panels to reduce the use of cables and save on construction costs and to ensure no panels would be placed in flood or cultural heritage areas.
-
READ MORE
The next step was to prepare a 3D digital design model of the solar farm detailing the complex technical specifications for construction needed to obtain permit approval required in the engineering, procurement and construction tender for the project. The model was also used to engage stakeholders, by showing how the solar farm will look in an easy-to-understand way.
We supported the project through the planning phase of the project via the fulfillment of all necessary permits required before construction can begin.
This final step required Arcadis to prepare an Environmental Management Plan, Construction Environmental Management Plan and associated sub-plans to meet the requirements of the amended planning permit for construction of the Wunghnu Solar Farm.
The impact
Arcadis’ detailed assessment of the electrical, civil and environmental designs resulted in an overall cost reduction of the project. Early in the engagement, Arcadis’ Environment and Waste Team highlighted risks in the existing permit and identified potential layout optimisations to aid more efficient construction of the solar farm.
-
READ MORE
At the completion of Arcadis’ investigations, we presented X-ELIO with detailed electrical, civil and environmental designs for Wunghnu Solar Farm in preparation for the commencement of construction, following full permit approval.
The completed project will help Victoria more towards its long-term target of net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050. With a generation capacity of 80MW, the Wunghnu Solar Farm will provide enough electricity to power 20,000 homes.
Not done reading?
This also might be interesting for you
- Related Projects
- Related Insights
- Related Blogs
