The project received development approval from the Government of South Australia in June 2018 and was expected to start construction early in 2019.[3] However, as of November 2021[update], the project was still proposed to be constructed, but work on site was not expected until at least the second half of 2022.[4]
Stage 1 includes 200MW of solar photovoltaic electricity generation and a 120MW·h lithium ion battery system and was proposed to start construction early in 2019, generating its first generation before the end of the same year. Stage 1 will consist of one hundred single-axis tracker arrays each generating 2MW and approximately 310 by 180 metres (1,020 by 590ft)[6] for a total area of 3,200 by 1,800 metres (10,500 by 5,900ft). Stage 2 is proposed to provide another 200MW of generation and a 150MW·h battery.[6]
The land is north of Goyder's Line and 6 kilometres (3.7mi) north of the Goyder Highway on crown land unsuitable for cropping due to the low rainfall.[7]
Downer Group was engaged in January 2019 for early contractor involvement, with construction expected to commence in July 2019 and stage 1 to take two years to build. The project had provision for three more stages, depending on market and network conditions.[8] In July, the project's website said that construction would start in the fourth quarter of 2019.[9] By November 2019, this had slipped to the first quarter of 2020.[10]
Alinta Energy had committed to buy 75% of the solar farm's output for 15 years,[11][12] however that contract expired due to delays in the project caused by issues such as the withdrawal of Downer Group as EPC contractor.[13]
The grid-connected battery will be supplied by GE Renewable Energy. It is expected to be 100MW/300MWh, larger than any grid-connected batteries in the world at the time of its announcement in 2019.[14]
