By Kari Williamson

The project, said to be Australia's first utility-scale solar PV project, is being developed on 80 hectares of cleared land 50 km southeast of Geraldton and will contribute to the energy requirements of the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant.

Western Australian state-owned power utility Verve Energy and GE Energy Financial Services will each own 50% of the Greenough River Solar Farm. The WA Government providing A$20 million, including A$10m from the WA Royalties for Regions program.

The WA Water Corporation, which is building the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant, has committed to purchase 100% of the solar farm’s output.

First Solar will supply 150,000 thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and provide engineering, procurement and construction services, in addition to operations and maintenance support once the solar farm is operational.