- Pacific Partnerships acquires rights for the 700-MW Cobbora Solar Farm in New South Wales.
- UGL will handle construction and operations, with the site powering 280,000 homes and supporting 1,600 MWh of storage.
- After public feedback, Pacific Partnerships will submit an Environmental Impact Statement by late 2024.
Pacific Partnerships, a CIMIC Group subsidiary, has acquired the rights to develop the 700-MW Cobbora Solar Farm in New South Wales. This solar park, which includes a battery energy storage system (BESS), will become one of Australia’s largest photovoltaic (PV) farms.
Pacific Partnerships purchased the project from Sydney-based Marble Energy. They will oversee the delivery and operations of the solar storage site. UGL, another CIMIC subsidiary, will manage development operations and maintenance (O&M) after the plant becomes operational.
The Cobbora PV park will span a 3,000-hectare site east of Dubbo. It will produce enough electricity to power about 280,000 average-sized homes annually. The site, which consists mainly of cleared grazing land, allows for battery installations of up to 1,600 MWh. After the PV park goes online, sheep grazing will continue on the land.
Pacific Partnerships plans to submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project by late 2024. They will publicly exhibit the project to gather feedback from the community and stakeholders.
This acquisition aligns with Pacific Partnerships’ strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio and reflects the trend toward integrating large-scale solar and battery storage to stabilise the energy supply.
The Cobbora Solar Farm project will significantly contribute to New South Wales’ renewable energy goals. It will also enhance the reliability of the local grid through its storage capabilities. The site’s BESS will store excess solar energy and supply power during peak demand or low solar generation periods.
The project will boost local employment during both construction and ongoing operations. Pacific Partnerships and UGL plan to engage local contractors and suppliers to support the regional economy.
Projects like Cobbora Solar Farm are crucial in reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a sustainable energy future as the renewable energy sector grows. CIMIC Group’s involvement underscores its commitment to renewable energy development and its role in Australia’s energy transition.
Pacific Partnerships’ acquisition of the Cobbora Solar Farm rights advances large-scale solar and battery storage solutions in New South Wales. With UGL managing construction and an EIS submission slated for late 2024, the project will substantially impact energy production and local employment.