AGL ENER : Local community tours Nyngan Solar Plant

The Nyngan Solar Plant Community Consultation Committee (CCC) toured AGL Energy Limited's (AGL) project site on Saturday to get a first hand update on the progress of construction at what will be Australia's largest solar plant.

All 138,000 posts for the photovoltaic (PV) modules and almost one quarter of the 1.4 million solar PV modules are now in place at the Nyngan Solar Plant in western New South Wales. AGL commenced construction of the 102 megawatt (MW) plant in January 2014 and the project remains on track to be completed in mid 2015.

AGL Nyngan Solar Plant Manager, Adam Mackett, said the site visit provided a great opportunity to show the CCC members how construction is progressing and to answer questions.

"We recognise it is important for the CCC members to see what we are doing and events like this assist in building an understanding of how the solar plant will work. We also respect that the community's ongoing support for the project is vital in delivering such a large infrastructure project," Mr Mackett said.

The project's main transformer, which increases the voltage from 33kV to 132kV for transmission into the national energy grid, has also been energised.

"This is an important step in preparation for electricity generation to start from the solar project in early 2015. We are looking forward to progressing construction works in the new year and reaching the important milestone of first generation from the Nyngan Solar Plant," explained Mr Mackett.

AGL is delivering the 102 MW Nyngan Solar Plant in partnership with the Federal Government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the NSW Government, Bogan Shire Council and community, and project partner First Solar.

About AGL

AGL is one of Australia's leading integrated energy companies and largest ASX listed owner, operator and developer of renewable energy generation in the country. Drawing on over 175 years of experience, AGL operates retail and merchant energy businesses, power generation assets and an upstream gas portfolio. AGL has one of Australia's largest retail energy and dual fuel customer bases. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, landfill gas and biomass. AGL is taking action toward creating a sustainable energy future for our investors, communities and customers.