Fulham Solar Farm Newsletter, November 2022
Major milestone as Fulham Solar Farm awarded Victorian government contract
In October 2022, the Fulham Solar Farm was awarded a supply contract by the Victorian Government under its Victorian Renewable Energy Target VRET2 reverse auction.
The Victorian renewable energy VRET2 reverse auction helps the State meet its renewable energy targets by providing long-term offtake contracts to support investment certainty and build new energy generation projects.
Six projects from across Victoria were successful under the VRET2 process - bringing forward 623 MW of new renewable generation capacity and delivering up to 365 MW and 600 megawatt-hours (MWh) of new battery energy storage.
We are delighted to have earned the confidence of the Victorian Government to deliver a ground breaking renewable energy project for the Gippsland region.
Fulham Solar Farm successfully achieves Development Approval
Following an extensive planning and consultation process, the Fulham Solar Farm successfully received Development Approval from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) on 28 March 2022. Approval of the development application is a key milestone as the project moves towards construction.
Thank you to all community members who provided feedback on the project during the planning application process.
A copy of the Development Approval, along with the specific requirements applied to the project, is available on the DELWP website.
Upcoming activities on site
Following approval of the Development Application and awarding of the VRET2 contract, activities on the project site will increase. Over the next six months, community members can expect to see workers on site undertaking site investigations in the lead-up to construction, which is targeted to commence in 2023.
Over the coming months our team will be visiting neighbouring properties to talk through the development and answer any queries.
If you have any questions regarding activities on site, please contact us at contact@fulhamsolar.com.au.
Who is Octopus Investments Australia?
During 2021, the Fulham Solar Farm was purchased by Octopus Investments Australia and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) from the original project developers.
Octopus Investments Australia is a subsidiary of the UK’s Octopus Group. Founded in 2000, it is one of the world’s largest and most experienced investors in clean energy. Octopus’s local reach has expanded rapidly with 30 dedicated energy professionals in Melbourne (Head Office), Sydney, and Auckland, currently managing over $1 billion of renewable assets.
Octopus owns and operates Australia’s largest solar farm, Darlington Point, and is currently building the 180MW Dulacca wind farm, which is supported by a QLD government Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA). Octopus is set to be major player in the renewable energy transition in Australia with a 5,000 MW wind, solar and storage development portfolio across the National Electricity Market (NEM).
In February 2022, Octopus announced the formation of the world’s largest majority Indigenous-owned renewable energy company, known as Desert Springs Octopus. Desert Springs Octopus will open up renewable energy and other infrastructure opportunities for First Nations Australians across Australia.
Australian Guide to Agrisolar for Large-Scale Solar
The Fulham Solar Farm site, which comprises approximately 400 acres of agricultural land, will continue to be available for the grazing of sheep once operational.
The Clean Energy Council, the peak body for the clean energy industry in Australia has developed a guide to agrisolar for solar projects. A copy of the guide can be downloaded here.
Gippsland New Energy Conference
In August 2022, representatives from the Fulham Solar Farm joined stakeholders from the renewable energy sector, local, state, and federal government, and local community at the Wedge in Sale, for the inaugural Gippsland New Energy Conference.
Speakers from across Gippsland and Australia discussed the regions transition to new energy, the challenges and opportunities in transition, and opportunities for the local community through training, employment, and business engagement.
Details of the conference, including recordings of presentations, are available on the Gippsland New Energy Conference website.
The Fulham Solar Farm team thanks the conference organising team from the Gippsland Climate Change Network, Wellington Shire Council, Latrobe Valley Authority, and Committee for Gippsland for delivering an outstanding event.