Ratch kicks off solar project in Australia
RATCHABURI Electricity Generating Holding has announced the development of its 42-megawatt Collinsville solar power station to be operated by its 80-per-cent-owned subsidiary Ratch-Australia Corporation (RAC).
As one of 12 shortlisted projects out of 75 applicants countrywide, the Collinsville solar power station has won support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), a government agency that is responsible for promoting renewable-energy development in that country.
Ratch chief executive officer Rum Herabat said funding of 9.5 million Australian dollars (Bt249 million) granted by ARENA helped reduce the investment cost of the Collinsville project by 10 per cent from the A$100-million total. It will also enable RAC to finalise a power purchase agreement with a potential off-taker in a seamless manner.
”Consequently, RAC will negotiate further to [conclude a deal] with the potential electricity buyer and then seek project financing for funding construction planned for the second quarter of 2017.
“The project, with installation of 180,000 solar panels, will be able to serve the electricity demand of 15,000 households and is expected to commence operations in 2018,” Rum said.
The 42MW Collinsville solar power station in the north of Queensland state was initiated to optimise use of land and existing facilities and infrastructure in a decommissioned coal-fired power plant.
RAC currently owns six commercially operated power plants, consisting of three wind farms (with total equity capacity of 54MW) and three natural-gas-fired plants (455.52MW).
Aside from the Collinsville project, RAC is now developing the 144MW Mount Emerald wind farm, with commercial operation scheduled for 2018.
