AGL has completed a 2.12 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar energy system at Santos’ Port Bonython hydrocarbon processing plant in Whyalla, South Australia.

The system will generate more than 3 gigawatt hours of clean energy per annum for the energy company, representing six percent of the electricity used at the plant, which would be enough to power more than 500 average Australian homes.

AGL Interim Chief Customer Officer Mark Enzinger said the project was completed on time and safely by AGL’s Business Energy Solutions team in less than nine months.

“We are proud to have completed this project which helps Santos deliver on its strategy of integrating renewable energy into its sites to lower costs and reduce its carbon footprint,” Mr Enzinger said.

“We also delivered on our commitment to maximise local content in the project with the solar panel mounting system manufactured in Adelaide, the inverter station made in Melbourne, and the installation carried out by workers from Whyalla.

“The team completed the project under an engineering, procurement and construction contract that required the delivery of the 5,580 module solar system and a complex high voltage interconnection.

“The solar system consists of 62 array tables of solar modules, each weighing about six tonnes, and covers 14,500 square metres in total.

“The modules were mounted using an innovative array table system which combines modular design, prefabrication and rapid deployment, streamlining engineering and procurement and transferring cost, time and risk from the construction site to the factory.”

About AGL

AGL is committed to helping shape a sustainable energy future for Australia. We operate the country’s largest electricity generation portfolio, we’re its largest ASX-listed investor in renewable energy, and we have 3.6 million customer accounts. Proudly Australian, with more than 180 years of experience, we have a responsibility to provide sustainable, secure and affordable energy for our customers. Our aim is to prosper in a carbon-constrained world and build customer advocacy as our industry transforms. That’s why we have committed to exiting our coal-fired generation by 2050 and why we will continue to develop innovative solutions for our customers.