planned installed capacity of the Ross River Solar Farm located south-west of Townsville, Queensland.

proposed to be generated per year.

approximate number of households that can be powered by the farm each year.

estimated reduction in CO2 emissions each year, once the farm is operational.

hectares of a disused mango plantation land on which the farm will be sited. Townsville was chosen because of the high solar irradiance in the region, and its average 320 days of sunshine annually. The site offers proximity to the grid connection point at the Ross Bulk Supply Substation as well as suitable flat land free from environmental constraints.

solar panels will be used. Array Technologies DuraTrack HZ v3 will be used as the tracking system.

major organisations involved: Project Developer: ESCO Pacific, EPC and O&M: Downer EDI. Distribution: EnergyAustralia.

estimated project cost.

investment will be made by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). The investment is the CEFC's first equity stake in a solar farm, sending an important signal to institutional investors about the commercial potential of greenfield clean energy developments.

peak jobs during construction phase.

jobs during operational phase.

likely start of construction. The project will become fully operational within 12 months.

ESCO Pacific secured development approval for the solar farm from Townsville City Council.

13 year PPA secured with EnergyAustralia

Palisade Investment Partners (Palisade) acquired a 50% equity interest in the project from ESCO Pacific, and both parties are now finalising project development and progressing towards financial close.

Project achieves financial close with Palisade arranging senior debt for the project from Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Westpac Banking Corporation.

Downer EDI awarded Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract valued at approximately $200 million by Palisade and ESCO. Construction is expected to take 12 months.

Initial site preparation works are underway with actual construction to follow soon. According to Project Director, Lyndon Frearson, priority tasks before construction commences are the creation of a new site road entry, installation of perimeter fencing and set up of a site office and facilities for the construction team.

Palisade Investment Partners now owns 100% of project after acquiring ESCO Pacific's remaining 50% stake.