Iberdrola commissioning 317-MW wind-solar hybrid in Australia

Spanish utility group Iberdrola SA (BME:IBE) announced on Saturday it has begun commissioning its first wind-solar hybrid park in Australia, namely the 317-MW Port Augusta complex.

The start of the process follows the registration of the AUD-500-million (USD 313.6m/EUR 322.7m) plant in the National Electricity Market Registry by the Australian Energy Market Operator.

The Port Augusta facility consists of 210 MW of wind power capacity from 50 Vestas turbines and 107 MW of solar from 250,000 Longi photovoltaic (PV) panels. Iberdrola estimates it will be capable of generating enough power to meet the demand of 180,000 local homes.

Sterling & Wilson Renewable Energy Ltd was responsible for constructing the plant, with Spanish infrastructure company Elecnor SA in charge of the substation, transmission line, storage areas and access roads.

According to a previous statement, Port Augusta will supply renewable electricity to Australian retailer Woolworths Group Ltd.

Last month, the Spanish utility pledged to invest up to EUR 3 billion (USD 2.9bn) to grow its renewable energy capacity in Australia.

(AUD 1.0 = USD 0.627/EUR 0.645)

(EUR 1.0 = USD 0.972)

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