Project Update Week ending 23 November 2018

Australia’s largest integrated battery with a solar farm ready for summer 16 November - The 25MW / 50MWh Gannawarra Energy National Electricity Market (NEM). GESS is Storage System (GESS) has completed capable of powering more than 16,000 homes construction and began exporting electricity through two hours of peak demand before to the grid on 16 October 2018 in time for being recharged. summer. - The project is among the largest integrated This is the first time a utility-scale battery solar and battery facilities in the world (the system has been retrofitted to an existing largest in Australia) providing capacity to use solar project, the , solar energy at night. providing a new commercial model for other - Financing for the GESS was underpinned by renewable and storage facilities in Australia. $25 million of grant funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Australian renewable energy company Edify and the Victorian Government. Energy oversaw the deployment and - The project features a long-term commercial construction of the project, which utilises services agreement with EnergyAustralia, Tesla’s lithium ion battery technology. operator of the battery in conjunction with the offtake of the 60MW DC Gannawarra Energy retailer EnergyAustralia will charge Solar Farm. This is an innovative model for and dispatch energy from the facility until incorporating batteries into retail and 2030. This is in addition to a long-term corporate offtake arrangements. agreement to buy all the electricity generated from the co-located Gannawarra Solar Farm. Victoria’s Gannawarra Energy Storage System (GESS), the largest integrated solar and EnergyAustralia will operate the combined battery storage facility in Australia, is now solar farm and battery facility in a coordinated exporting and importing electricity to the grid way that better serves the Victorian energy and is ready to support the national energy market than could be achieved by a stand- system as demand rises over summer. alone renewable asset.

The project, developed by a consortium GESS was selected by the Victorian comprising Australian renewable energy and Government under its Energy Storage storage company, Edify Energy, Tesla and Initiative to integrate a 25MW / 50MWh Tesla EnergyAustralia and co-financed by WIRSOL Powerpack battery with the 60MW DC Energy, is currently completing commissioning Gannawarra Solar Farm. ARENA on behalf of and operating as a market participant in the the Australian Government and the Victorian

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Government Department of Environment, we can look forward to in a modern energy Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) supported system that delivers reliable, affordable and GESS with $25 million in grant funding. cleaner energy for customers.

Edify Energy CEO John Cole sees this project “The ability to store and quickly release being a real win for Victorian and Australian energy will help integrate renewables into the energy consumers in the enablement of a system as coal-fired plants progressively low-carbon energy future. “The entire sector retire,” Ms Tanna said. “These are the new is aware of the potential for storage projects technologies and approaches that will come to not only provide invaluable services to the to underpin our energy system, keeping market and the grid, but also to enable the customers’ lights on and their costs down.” roll out of more and more clean and cheap renewable energy.” Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio added that “We said we would deliver this for “Solar plus storage is a ‘category killer’. We Victoria, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. are very proud to have developed, structured This Andrews Labor Government initiative is and overseen the construction of two projects an important part of helping us transition to a that together can serve as a model for wider more affordable, reliable and clean energy adoption of storage into the market and the system. We are continuing to modernise our realisation of a high renewable future. We electricity grid, strengthen our energy security intend to continue our roll out of storage and and deliver real action on climate change.” renewables projects and help our corporate and other customers achieve their energy and Edify Energy developed, structured and sustainability objectives,” Mr Cole said. provided construction management services for the project. In addition to continuing Mark Hogan, Managing Director of WIRSOL development of other projects in its portfolio, Energy said, “We are delighted to reach this Edify Energy will undertake the long-term crucial milestone at Gannawarra Solar Farm. asset management role for GESS, on top of The overall project and how it has evolved is the asset management role it performs for the unique to the industry which in turn sets a other projects Edify Energy has developed and benchmark for future projects and enables overseen through construction, including the the ability to optimise the delivery of energy Gannawarra, Whitsunday, Hamilton, at peak times supporting demand throughout Daydream and Hayman Solar Farms. the daily cycle, providing a range of direct and indirect benefits to Victorian and Australian Source: Edify Energy consumers.”

“We are proud to be a major contributor PROJECT NEWS towards Victoria’s renewable energy target Bluewater Solar Farm which also underwrites our own personal The federal Department of the Environment & mission of deploying greater than one Energy decided FRV Services Australia’s gigawatt of solar energy in Australia by the proposed 102 MW Bluewater Solar Farm in year 2020. Maintaining the deployment of northern Queensland was not a controlled solar, coupled with storage where action and so does not require approval under appropriate, is a cornerstone in attaining the EPBC Act. sustainable and affordable clean energy, which is evidently now within reach on a global scale, specifically within Australia.”

EnergyAustralia Managing Director, Catherine Tanna, said the project is an example of what

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$50 million fund to support Proposals involving pumped hydro energy storage, hydrogen and natural gas storage, new energy storage projects to bioenergy, solar thermal and batteries are make electricity more examples that could be submitted into one of the following investment streams: affordable and reliable in SA - Stream 1 – targeting behind-the-meter 19 November projects in commercial or industrial facilities, The State Government has launched a $50 or in the distribution network million fund to support construction of new - Stream 2 – targeting centralised, bulk energy energy storage projects in South Australia, storage projects building on our efforts to make electricity more affordable and reliable for households The single round of applications will close on 7 and businesses across the state. February 2019, to allow for successful projects to be announced by mid-2019. Grant funding from the Grid Scale Storage Fund will accelerate investment in the grid- There is no minimum or maximum grant scale energy storage needed to address amount within the $50 million Fund intermittency in South Australia’s electricity threshold. However, Applicants must state the system. amount they are applying for when submitting a Proposal. The State Government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Projects targeting financial close by the end of Federal Government agency the Australian 2019 are preferred. Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), with a view to coordinating the assessment of Applicants interested in applying for projects that may be eligible for joint funding additional funding under ARENA’s ARP will be under ARENA’s Advancing Renewables able to register and complete a separate Program (ARP). second application through ARENA to be considered for co-funding. “This multi-million dollar fund is more great news for both business and consumers, and is The South Australian Government will work one of a range of measures the Liberal with ARENA to ensure projects that meet the Government is taking to make electricity more criteria can benefit from this opportunity and affordable and reliable,” Minister van Holst get off the ground quickly. Pellekaan said. Federal Minister for Energy Angus Taylor said “The fund is technology neutral. Eligible the commitment from the State Government projects must benefit the state by addressing helped bridge the commerciality gap for grid the challenges that have driven up electricity scale storage projects. prices in South Australia. “The $50 million funding commitment from “For example, projects could boost the the South Australian Government will help to reliability of our network during peak periods realise a number of ground breaking projects or increase the security of supply at the fringe that will help provide 24/7 reliable power,” of our grid. Minister Taylor said.

“The fund will leverage South Australia’s “The Federal Government encourages world-class renewable energy assets, as well investment in the storage and firming as the engineering and technology expertise technologies needed to provide more within our business and investment affordable and reliable power to Australian community.” families and small businesses.

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“The Federal Government, through ARENA, Collgar Wind Farm refinanced has already committed more than $110 19 November million in funding to support projects in South International law firm Ashurst has advised the Australia, including a wide range of innovative lenders on the A$409 million refinancing of energy storage projects.” the in Collgar Wind Farm Western Australia.

On behalf of the Federal Government, ARENA The refinancing of the Collgar Wind Farm is already supporting feasibility studies for consists of a A$397 million syndicated term two prospective pumped hydro plants at loan facility and a A$12 million working capital Cultana and Middleback Ranges, two virtual facility. power plants trials and has contributed towards two grid scale batteries in South Collgar Wind Farm is a renewable energy Australia. project located in Merredin, Western

Australia and is to date the largest single stage For more information about the Grid Scale operating wind farm in the southern Storage Fund including the Investment hemisphere, with 111 turbines and a total Guidelines and how to apply, power production capacity of 206 MW. visit: www.energymining.sa.gov.au/gssf

The funding package was provided by a Source: SA Government syndicate of seven international and domestic

banks comprising ANZ, Credit Agricole CIB

Australia, CBA, BNP Paribas, HSBC, KDB and PROJECT NEWS Mizuho. Wyalong Solar Farm The NSW Department of Planning & The Ashurst team was led by project finance Environment has placed Esco Pacific’s partner Chris Redden, assisted by senior proposed Wyalong Solar Farm in central NSW associates Douglas Fung and Marina Tinning, on exhibition. The proposal is for and associates Jowa Chan, Wilson Lu and development of a 130MW solar farm Melany Wilson. Partner Andrew Gay also comprised of up to 350,000 solar PV modules, advised, supported by senior associates a battery storage facility, a synchronous Cheyne Jansen and Caroline Lindsey, and condenser and associated infrastructure. The associate Susanah Vindedzis. electricity output from the project will be supplied to the electricity Source: Ashurst network via high voltage cables connecting to the 132 kV transmission line which transects the development site. The batteries would be New solar farm development made of lithium-ion and housed in containerised packs, and provide a total application shines a light on capacity of 25 MW and 50 MWh. The project jobs is a 256 ha infrastructure project with an A development application to construct a estimated capital investment value of almost large solar power plant at Harlin in the $130mil that is expected to create up to 150 Somerset region, has today been given the jobs during construction and up to four full- green light by Council. time and eight part-time positions when operational. Construction is expected to take Somerset Regional Council conditionally approximately nine months and the project is approved the 1500 megawatt farm to be expected to operate for 40 years. constructed over two stages on a 2,055 hectare site east of Harlin on the D’Aguilar Highway.

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The facility is proposed to be staffed seven “These are just some of the conditions we’ve days per week with up to 60 permanent staff. placed on the developers to ensure we’re During construction, this solar farm has the addressing the concerns of residents, where potential to create up to 200 jobs. possible.”

Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann said the Cr Lehmann said it was important for solar farm, once completed, would be residents to remember that these types of Australia’s largest. proposals provide an opportunity to capitalise on an emerging market for renewable energy “This was a complex development application sources. put together by Ethos Urban planning consultants, who have been involved in other It is anticipated that construction of the solar large infrastructure projects throughout farm will start mid-2019, will take up to three Australia, on behalf of Sunshine Energy years to complete and be completed over two Australia Pty Ltd,” Cr Lehmann said. stages.

“This application has been referred to various Source: Somerset Regional Council government departments and agencies for their input and Council approved the PROJECT NEWS development in line with our planning scheme Maryvale Solar Farm which allows for such developments in rural The EIS for the proposed Maryvale Solar Farm, areas.” located approximately 15km north-east of

Wellington in NSW, has been placed on public Cr Lehmann said Council had taken into exhibition by the NSW Department of account concerns raised by submitters during Planning & Environment. The project is the public consultation phase and had described as a 125 MW AC/160 MW DC solar addressed these concerns, where possible, by photovoltaic (PV) facility covering an area of implementing conditions on the development 375 hectares and is estimated to consist of up application to offset these. to 450,000 PV panels installed on a single axis

tracking system. There is an existing Essential “For example, where residents were Energy 132kV easement containing a 132 kV concerned about the solar farm being seen powerline which connects with the from the D’Aguilar Highway, we’ve requested Wellington substation. The proposal is being that trees be planted along the fenceline,” he put forward by a joint venture of Canadian said. Solar (51%), Photon Energy (approximately

25%) and Polpo Investments (approximately “We’ve also increased offsets and stipulated 24%). that solar panels cannot be installed within 100 metres of a neighbouring property. SunPower releases “We have also requested that a year after performance solar panel for construction and operation that developers review the impact of glare and if there is an Australia’s residential rooftop impact on neighbouring properties that market additional trees be planted or the tinting of 19 November windows is to occur. SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR) today

launched the 19-percent efficient “Further, Council has conditioned the Performance solar panel for homeowners in development application so that no solar Australia, available in several designs up to panels can be installed in the flood plain. 325-watts. Backed by SunPower’s industry-

leading 25-year warranty covering both power

Page 5 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) output and panel construction, the Funding facility Performance panel delivers long-term 20 November reliability with a unique shingled cell Carnegie Clean Energy Limited (Carnegie or architecture that outperforms conventional the Company) wishes to advise that it has panel yield in real-world conditions such as implemented a $2 million unsecured finance partial shading and elevated temperatures. facility (Facility) to provide funding for

operations while several key projects that are "With the high-quality Performance panel, currently underway are being completed. SunPower offers unbeatable value to our customers compared to conventional solar The key projects include the 10MW Northam technology,” said Chris O’Brien, SunPower Solar Farm which is being constructed Managing Director, Australia. “And as with all approximately 100kms east of Perth and the our solar solutions, we’ve leveraged 2MW solar PV and 2MW/0.5MWh battery SunPower’s 33 years of experience to ensure system constructed on Garden Island where Performance panels deliver superior final cabling work is being completed ahead of aesthetics and a sleek appearance for any commissioning and final approvals from both roof.” Department of Defence and Western Power.

This launch follows the successful 2017 The Facility to provide funding while these introduction of SunPower’s commercial projects are nearing completion has been Performance solar panel now integrated into provided by HFM Investments Pty Ltd, a more than 350 projects in Australia, including company controlled by director Mike the 349-megawatt Limondale solar power Fitzpatrick. plant that is currently under construction in

New South Wales and Australia's largest solar The Facility may be drawn down subject to project to date. mutual agreement and shall incur a coupon

rate of 8% per annum until 28 February 2019, With nameplate manufacturing capacity of and 18% thereafter. The Facility can be called over 2 gigawatts, SunPower’s Performance or repaid at any time, and matures on 28 solar panels are the most deployed shingled February 2019 unless extended by mutual solar panels globally, with proven results. DNV agreement. GL, a global independent energy expert and certification body, has named SunPower’s Source: Carnegie Clean Energy Performance solar panel a top performer in all five DNV GL reliability tests which included thermal cycling, damp heat, humidity-freeze, dynamic mechanical load and potential EPA considers proposal for induced degradation. Port Latta Wind Farm in NW

The Performance solar panel is part of a Tasmania comprehensive high-efficiency product The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) portfolio that includes SunPower's Maxeon- has concluded its assessment of a proposal by based X- and E-Series solar panels, and, Nekon Pty Ltd for the Port Latta Wind Farm in beginning in 2019, will include its newly Circular Head Council. developed next generation technology. For more on this new technology for the The proposal involves the construction and Australian residential market, visit operation of a seven turbine wind farm with a www.sunpower.com.au/performance. capacity of up to 25 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The proposal also involves the Source: SunPower construction of an underground cable to connect the wind farm to the Port Latta

Page 6 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) substation, approximately 1 km north of the The Board undertook the assessment of the site. proposal in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Principles The Chair of the EPA Board, Warren Jones, defined in Section 74 of the Act. said that the Board concluded the proposed development could be managed in an The Board's environmental assessment environmentally sustainable and acceptable report, including the environmental manner, with certain conditions. The Board conditions, has been have been forwarded to requires these conditions to be included in the Circular Head Council for review of any permit subsequently granted by the planning issues prior to making a decision as Circular Head Council. to whether a permit is to be granted.

“Various environmental issues were Source: Tasmania EPA considered by the Board in its assessment, including the potential impact on threatened fauna species, particularly avifauna, as well as Tempo commences solar noise emissions," he said. project “Conditions have been imposed to ensure 21 November appropriate management practices are in Tempo Australia Limited (ASX: TPP): further to place during construction and operation of an announcement by Tempo in September the wind farm to reduce the impact to 2018, Tempo confirms that it has entered into threatened fauna as well as noise emissions," a Limited Notice to Proceed (“LNTP”) with Mr Warren Jones said. Enel Green Power Australia Pty Ltd. (“Enel Green Power Australia”) in relation to the The proposal was referred to the Board in Cohuna Solar Farm, a successful project under May 2018 and public consultation was open the Victorian Renewable Energy Auction for 28 day period from 14 July 2018.Thirteen Scheme. Enel Green Power Australia is the representations were received in relation to renewable energy subsidiary for Australia of the permit application. The environmental the multinational power company Enel. issues raised in these representations were impacts to avian species, particularly eagles The value of the works for Tempo is estimated and threatened species; noise emissions; lack at $15 million over a 12-month construction of transparent consultation and community period commencing in the first half of 2019. engagement; and impacts to visual amenity. The value of the LNTP is 10 per cent of the total value or approximately $1.5 million to be The proposal was considered by the Board in completed over the next few months. Under the context of the sustainable development the LNTP, Tempo will commence preliminary objectives of the Resource Management and (non-site) work prior to the execution of the Planning System of Tasmania (RMPS), and in final contract between the parties. the context of the objectives of the Environmental Management and Pollution TPP stated that “Tempo continues to work Control System (EMPCS) established by closely with Enel and has established a strong the Environmental Management and Pollution relationship with Enel. We are very pleased to Control Act 1994 (EMPCA). be working with a world leading energy organisation on this vital renewable energy The functions of the Board are to administer project for the state of Victoria.” and enforce the provisions of EMPCA, to further the RMPS and EMPCS objectives and, Source: Tempo in particular, to use its best endeavours to protect the environment of Tasmania.

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Northam Solar commences wholesale cost savings are being passed through to customers. generation 21 November In its July 2018 report on restoring electricity Carnegie Clean Energy Limited (ASX: CCE) is affordability and Australia’s competitive pleased to advise that the 10MW Northam advantage, the ACCC made recommendations Solar Farm is 100% constructed and in the that would bring about increased competition commissioning phase. Limited export of and lower supply costs so as to reduce prices power into the grid has commenced while the significantly for businesses and households. commissioning work is taking place. Full The ACCC has been asked to monitor the Commercial Operations will occur in the effects of policy changes, including those coming weeks once the required tests are resulting from its July 2018 report completed successfully. recommendations.

Interested parties can find out more about A discussion paper for the inquiry, published the project, including some visuals on the today, is seeking submissions on three key “Progress” page at www.northamsolar.com. areas: - the analytical framework for this role, Source: Carnegie Clean Energy including our expectations of market outcomes and participant behaviour, and the measures we will use to monitor and analyse ACCC releases electricity prices and behaviour - how we will monitor the impact of policy monitoring discussion paper developments 21 November - the processes and timing for the collection of The ACCC is commencing a new inquiry into information, including what data we will the supply of electricity in the National require. Electricity Market and is consulting on how it will undertake this role. “This new long-term role for the ACCC will ensure pressure remains on all players in the The ACCC has been tasked with monitoring energy supply chain to behave in a and reporting on the supply of retail and competitive way and only pass on those costs wholesale electricity in Queensland, NSW, that are reasonable. It is also important that Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the they pass on any cost savings to consumers,” ACT, until 2025. It will have a focus on ACCC Chair Rod Sims said. monitoring prices, profits and margins, including the effect of policy changes in the “The ACCC will also be monitoring whether National Electricity Market. the policy changes it recommended are helping to drive low prices to consumers.” The ACCC will report, at least every six months, on information it obtains from “If we find problems in the market that aren’t energy companies, including the prices being fixed by existing policy tools, we will be customers are paying for electricity and the making recommendations to government on underlying factors for any significant price what extra changes are needed,” Mr Sims said. movements. “The ACCC is interested in views on how we The ACCC will be looking to use existing are to perform this new function, to ensure sources of data, but, where necessary, will use that we provide the most useful information its compulsory information gathering powers to the government and the public while to obtain crucial information from retailers imposing the least information burden and other market participants. The ACCC will necessary on the energy companies.” specifically be examining whether any

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Responses to the discussion paper will help million household batteries and a supportive inform the ACCC’s first report, which will set battery storage program. out the ACCC’s approach to monitoring, as well as expectations for how an effectively Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Kane competitive market should be functioning and Thornton said Labor’s suite of policies would how market participants should be behaving. keep the wave of large-scale clean energy The ACCC will hand its first report to the investment rolling and accelerate the move Treasurer by 31 March 2019. towards more batteries for homes with solar panels. Policy certainty remains essential if Submissions close by 19 December 2018 and the regional boom in renewable energy and can be emailed to storage is to continue, he said. [email protected]. “Labor’s decision to adopt the architecture of The discussion paper and terms of reference the NEG and pursue a return to bipartisan are available at Electricity Market Monitoring. energy policy in the future is a welcome approach and clearly the preference of the Background business and investment community. On 20 August 2018, the then treasurer, the However, given political bipartisanship has Hon Scott Morrison MP, directed the ACCC to been elusive for more than a decade, it is a hold an inquiry into prices, profits and smart and sensible move for the ALP to leave margins in relation to the supply of electricity the door ajar to pursue direct investment in the National Electricity Market. models that would deliver more clean energy investment in the absence of bipartisan The ACCC must provide its first report to the support should it win government,” Mr Treasurer, the Hon Josh Frydenberg, by 31 Thornton said. March 2019 and a second report by 30 September 2019, with reporting to continue “The ALP commitment to a $200 million home at least every six months until 2025. battery program will be a major boost for up to 100,000 households to install batteries. We Source: ACCC welcome the focus on safety and quality alongside the new battery program, as well as a commitment to ensure skills and training Labor Shortens odds with development to support the massive economic opportunity this presents. comprehensive energy policy ahead of Federal Election “It is clear Labor recognises both the challenge and remarkable opportunity of 22 November moving from fossil fuels to clean energy in the The clean energy industry welcomed the decades ahead, and has moved strongly with strong leadership from the Federal Opposition a range of measures to modernise Australia’s today, following media reports this morning energy system,” he said. about its comprehensive energy policy which could drive investment up and power prices If it wins the next election, Labor will use the down. policy architecture of the National Energy

Guarantee, which was developed by the Opposition Leader Bill Shorted has Energy Security Board under the Turnbull recommitted Labor to a renewable energy Government and secured support from target of 50 per cent by 2030, as part of a business, energy and consumer groups policy package which underlined its throughout Australia. commitment to the National Energy

Guarantee (NEG) as well as a new target of 1 Source: Clean Energy Council

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McGrathNicol Restructuring Note to subscribers appointed as Voluntary A search of the AltEnergy database for “RCR” provides the projects listed below. These are Administrators to RCR all the projects in our database, generating Tomlinson Limited (ASX: RCR) and in development, in which RCR is mentioned as being in some way involved. and related entities 22 November AltEnergy offers no specific guidance as to the Appointment of Voluntary Administrators level of involvement of RCR Tomlinson in these McGrathNicol Restructuring announce that projects or the impacts on these projects the Directors of RCR Tomlinson Limited ACN (some of which have been completed and 008 898 486 and its Australian subsidiaries successfully commissioned) of RCR Tomlinson resolved on 21 November 2018 to appoint and its associates going into administration. Jason Preston, Jamie Harris, Matthew Caddy and Rob Brauer as Voluntary Administrators AltEnergy suggests readers interested in any (Administrators). of these projects search them in our database for more details and make their own inquiries The Administrators are undertaking an if necessary: Hayman Solar Farm, Swan Hill assessment of the business and urgently Solar Farm, Merredin Solar Farm, Greenough seeking funding from the RCR Group’s River Solar Farm Stage 2, Haughton Solar financiers. Farm, Yaloak South Wind Farm, , , Red Stag Timber The Administrators will work closely with Power Plant, Pentland Bioenergy Project, RCR’s employees, suppliers and customers to Oakey Solar Farm, Manildra Solar Farm, quickly stabilise operations and to determine Longreach Solar Farm, Gannawarra Solar the appropriate strategy for the business. A Farm, Emerald Solar Farm, Darling Downs sale process will be commenced immediately. Solar Farm, and Clermont Solar Farm. RCR suppliers are asked to ensure that they supply only in accordance with the circular to We will not change RCR’s involvement in these suppliers, available on the McGrathNicol and projects in our database until it becomes RCR websites. clearer what the outcome of administration proceedings will be. First statutory meeting of creditors A first statutory meeting of creditors must be held within eight business days after the Pacific Hydro responds to RCR administration begins and is expected to take notice of administrator place on 3 December. Meeting notices setting out the time and location for the first meeting appointment of creditors will be distributed to RCR’s 22 November creditors over coming days. Following the announcement by RCR Tomlinson today that the company has Contact details and further information appointed administrators, Pacific Hydro has Information will be uploaded to the secured the Haughton solar farm construction McGrathNicol website site as it works to respond to this unfolding (www.mcgrathnicol.com) and the RCR situation. website (www.rcrtom.com.au). “Our project is an important investment in Source: McGrathNicol North Queensland. We will take all of the steps necessary for construction to continue, while maintaining the safety and security of

Page 10 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) the site,” Pacific Hydro Interim CEO Rachel “The workers rightly want commitments from Watson said today. the developers that they will be paid their entitlements in full, anything less will be Stage 1 of the Haughton solar project is a unacceptable”. large-scale 100MWac solar photovoltaic power station currently under construction in Mr. Ong reiterated his Union’s earlier the Burdekin region of Queensland, 60km concerns that the State Government had not south of Townsville. RCR Tomlinson was adequately overseen this important industry. appointed as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor to deliver “This latest predictable private failure shows Stage 1 of the project. why the State Government needs to regulate existing contracts better and commit to Source: Pacific Hydro owning, constructing and managing our future assets” he said.

RCR administration Mr Ong warned that companies whose business models included cutting corners on announcement timely safety, using labour hire, backpackers and reminder of privatisation unlicensed workers to construct renewable assets were not only a risk to workers failures livelihoods and safety but the wider 22 November community as well. Union calls on developers to ensure workers entitlements are paid in full. “This wild west, get away with what you can, until you are caught mentality within the solar The Electrical Trades Union says the failure of industry must stop before someone gets RCR Tomlinson and its related companies is a killed”. timely reminder of why the State Government needs to fast track CleanCo investments and Source: Electrical Trade Union commit to build, own and operate renewable energy assets in Queensland.

ETU QLD NT state secretary Peter Ong said Neoen’s Coleambally Solar the ETU and others have been raising issues Farm begins full-scale around the RCR’s solar farm business model commercial operation for months. A business model which sought to 22 November cut corners with the use of unlicensed - Coleambally, with its installed capacity of workers, poorly trained and underpaid 189 MWp, is now the largest fully operational backpackers and an appalling safety record. photovoltaic facility in Australia, producing

the greatest solar energy output in the “This company’s business model of National Electricity Market by any solar significantly undercutting competitors during generator currently; the tender process delivered nothing but a - The 550-hectare solar farm will generate race to the bottom on wages, safety and enough emission-free renewable energy to conditions and highlights the perils of power more than 65,000 New South Wales privatisation. We know that many workers on households; RCR sites in other states have not been paid - Almost 400 jobs were created in the Riverina their entitlements and we have reports that area during construction. direct RCR employees in Queensland had not been paid as at last night either”. Neoen (ISIN Code: FR0011675362, ticker:

NEOEN), France’s leading independent

Page 11 (Click on relevant project links to go to online Project Database) producer of exclusively renewable energy, an example of the projects that will underpin and among the fastest-growing worldwide, is a modern energy system in Australia. Through announcing that it has commenced full-scale the course of its development, we have commercial operation at its Coleambally Solar received enthusiastic response at the regional Farm in New South Wales. The 100 per cent and state level. As a long-term investor in Neoen-owned facility is a landmark project for Australia’s renewable energy future, we are the company and Australia’s renewable proud of this achievement and would like to energy sector, producing the highest energy offer our sincere thanks to the Riverina output of any solar farm in the country’s community for allowing us to realise the full National Electricity Market at present. potential of this landmark project.

Commissioned and connected by Neoen to Neoen will continue to work with our TransGrid’s high voltage transmission partners, and particularly the local network, the is located communities, councils and state government in the Riverina region. The 550-hectare facility to ensure that the people of New South Wales is supported by a 12-year power purchase enjoy clean, efficient and affordable electricity agreement (PPA) with leading energy retailer for decades to come.” EnergyAustralia. Under this agreement, EnergyAustralia will take 70 per cent of the Xavier Barbaro, Neoen’s Chairman and CEO, solar farm’s energy output. The remainder will concludes: "We are very proud to be bringing be sold directly to the market. into service this new power plant, which is a perfect illustration of our wide-ranging As the largest currently fully operational expertise: our ability to work on both wind photovoltaic (PV) facility in Australia with and large-scale solar projects in Australia, to 567,800 solar PV panels installed, the facility negotiate purchase agreements bilaterally will produce over 390,000 MWh of clean, with utilities, and to sell part of our emission-free, renewable energy per annum, production in the spot market now that grid which is enough to power more than 65,000 parity has been achieved. With this latest New South Wales households. That will make project, Neoen confirms its status as a significant contribution towards reducing Australia’s number one independent Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and is renewable energy producer. equivalent to taking either 90,000 cars off the road. Australia is well-suited to the development of renewable energy, and we will pursue our With the support of the Australian Energy future developments with the same integrity Market Operator (AEMO), TransGrid and and respect for local areas as we have always other key stakeholders, Neoen continues to shown." deliver on its promise of bringing more sustainable, reliable and competitive energy Site preparations began in January 2018, with to Australians, as well as its commitment to full construction and connection completed regional economies. During construction, between March and September 2018. almost 400 jobs were created for the Riverina area, stimulating local economic activity and Specialist clean energy financier CEFC, diversifying its industrial base. The solar farm German Landesbank NORD/LB, German will continue to provide a number and large government owned development bank KfW variety of permanent and contracting or Ipex and Bouygues Construction Australia Pty temporary employment opportunities during Ltd have all backed the development and the its expected service life well beyond 30 years. construction of the Coleambally Solar Farm.

Franck Woitiez, Managing Director for Neoen Source: Neoen Australia, states: “Coleambally Solar Farm is

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Response to RCR Tomlinson complete, and the Plant is operating at full design capacity. RCR O’Donnell Griffin remains Ltd ASX announcement obligated to complete a small number of 23 November items to reach full completion at the Plant New Energy Solar (NEW) notes the ASX under the terms of its construction contract. announcement (the Announcement) from These obligations are secured by bank RCR Tomlinson Ltd (RCR) dated 22 November guarantees. 2018 regarding the appointment of administrators. NEW is working with First Solar to determine if there are any further considerations NEW committed to acquire the Manildra Solar resulting from the Announcement. Power Plant (Manildra, the Plant) from First Solar, Inc (First Solar) in June 2018. The Plant Source: New Energy Solar was constructed by RCR O’Donnell Griffin, a subsidiary of RCR. Construction at Manildra is

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