Opportunities will be provided for local workers and suppliers with the announcement UGL has won the engineering, construction and procurement contract for Ratch Australia’s $100m Collinsville Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Project.

The project will have a peak construction workforce of around 120 and two permanent positions when complete. Up to 20 staff will be needed to clean the solar panels as required.

Local companies can register their interest via the Industry Capability Network (ICN) webpage.

https://gateway.icn.org.au/project/3912/collinsville-solar-pv-project?st=projects&psid=1493617679

UGL will provide operation and maintenance (O&M) services for five years upon completion of the 42.5 megawatt (MW) project.

UGL had been selected based on their successful track record of solar farm project delivery in Australia, said Ratch Business Development Manager, Anthony Yeates.

“UGL is a proven performer in the renewable energy space and has been involved in nine solar farm projects,” Mr Yeates said.

The company’s experience covers all the key disciplines and we’re confident that, together, we can deliver a world class solar farm that will serve as a global benchmark.

“With this last piece of the pre-construction puzzle falling into place we can now get on with construction of this project and if all goes to plan it will be generating electricity within roughly 12 months from now,” he said.

The appointment comes after financial close was reached earlier this month and Alinta Energy’s decision in March to purchase to purchase electricity and Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) generated by the farm through to the end of 2030.

UGL will take responsibility for the delivery of the project which will feature around 180,000 solar photovoltaic panels and is in close proximity to the old Collinsville coal-fired power station to take advantage of existing electrical infrastructure.

It is expected to produce enough energy to meet the needs of almost 15,000 homes.