Australian gas and electricity supplier APA Group has officially opened what it calls the largest remote grid solar farm by MW capacity in all of Australia. The 99 MW DC/88 MW AC Dugald River Solar Farm (DRSF) is located in Mount Isa, Queensland.
Equipped with 184,000 solar panels, the solar farm is contracted to supply power to mining group MMG, Mount Isa Mines (MIM) and New Century, firmed up by gas from APA's Diamantina Power Station located nearby.
US-based FTC Solar is the official tracker supplier for the project. Spain's Gamesa Electric has provided its inverters for the project (see Europe PV News Snippets).
Previously called Mica Creek Solar Farm, the Dugald River Solar Farm has been operational since Q1/2023. MMG says the farm is providing its Dugald River Mine with around 1/3rd of its electricity needs and helping it reduce its carbon footprint.
According to APA, the project provides a model for the Australian resources sector to decarbonize. The company is in a 32-year lease with the Queensland government for the project site.
APA Group Executive, Operations Petrea Bradford said, "It is also a great example of how we are executing our strategy to support customers in the resources sector to decarbonise, which will be essential if we are to reach our net zero targets."
APA had previously said it was investigating a potential expansion of the solar farm under a 3rd stage, following strong interest from its customers.