❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks details about the Greenough River Solar Farm's costs, ownership, and performance. The response provides some information but withholds commercially sensitive details.
AnsweredQoN 739Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What was the total
capital cost and the date of commencement of operations of
the Greenough River Solar Farm operated by Synergy and GE Energy
Financial Services (the Joint Venture)? (2) What contribution, if any, was made by the State Government to
the capital cost of the Greenough River Solar Farm? (3) What percentage of the capital cost of the Greenough River Solar Farm represented wages paid
to Western Australians and what percentage of the capital cost represented
items manufactured in Western Australia? (4) Does a power purchase agreement between the Joint Venture and Synergy oblige Synergy to buy the whole output of the Greenough River Solar Farm and at what price per megawatt/hour? (5) During the most recent twelve-month period for which figures are available the Minister, what was the dividend, if any, which the Government received from the Greenough River Solar Farm? (6) Can the Minister advise the average annual maintenance cost, average annual degradation of the solar panels and the anticipated life of the solar panels at the Greenough River Solar Farm? (7) If no to (6), why not? (8) What percentage share in the Joint Venture is held by
Synergy? (9) Will the Minister estimate the current market value of
Synergy's share of the Joint Venture?
capital cost and the date of commencement of operations of
the Greenough River Solar Farm operated by Synergy and GE Energy
Financial Services (the Joint Venture)? (2) What contribution, if any, was made by the State Government to
the capital cost of the Greenough River Solar Farm? (3) What percentage of the capital cost of the Greenough River Solar Farm represented wages paid
to Western Australians and what percentage of the capital cost represented
items manufactured in Western Australia? (4) Does a power purchase agreement between the Joint Venture and Synergy oblige Synergy to buy the whole output of the Greenough River Solar Farm and at what price per megawatt/hour? (5) During the most recent twelve-month period for which figures are available the Minister, what was the dividend, if any, which the Government received from the Greenough River Solar Farm? (6) Can the Minister advise the average annual maintenance cost, average annual degradation of the solar panels and the anticipated life of the solar panels at the Greenough River Solar Farm? (7) If no to (6), why not? (8) What percentage share in the Joint Venture is held by
Synergy? (9) Will the Minister estimate the current market value of
Synergy's share of the Joint Venture?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 April 2018
Responded by
Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Energy
Response time
9 days
(1) The Greenough River Solar Farm opened in October 2012. The total capital cost was $50 million.
(2) The project was partly funded through a $20 million appropriation from the State Government which included $10 million from Royalties for Regions.
(3) These costs are unable to be determined by Synergy. First Solar was the provider of engineering, procurement and construction for Greenough River Solar Farm.
(4) No power purchase agreement exists between Greenough River Solar Farm and Synergy.
(5) Nil.
(6-7) The average annual maintenance cost of solar panels are covered by an operations and maintenance contract which is considered commercial in confidence.
The average annual degradation of solar panels is 0.5 – 1 per cent per year.
The design life of Greenough River Solar Farm is 25 years however it is expected that the notional life of the asset will be extended.
(8-9) Greenough River Solar Farm is a wholly owned subsidiary of Synergy. Its market value is considered commercial in confidence.
(2) The project was partly funded through a $20 million appropriation from the State Government which included $10 million from Royalties for Regions.
(3) These costs are unable to be determined by Synergy. First Solar was the provider of engineering, procurement and construction for Greenough River Solar Farm.
(4) No power purchase agreement exists between Greenough River Solar Farm and Synergy.
(5) Nil.
(6-7) The average annual maintenance cost of solar panels are covered by an operations and maintenance contract which is considered commercial in confidence.
The average annual degradation of solar panels is 0.5 – 1 per cent per year.
The design life of Greenough River Solar Farm is 25 years however it is expected that the notional life of the asset will be extended.
(8-9) Greenough River Solar Farm is a wholly owned subsidiary of Synergy. Its market value is considered commercial in confidence.
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