generation capacity of the Sun Metals Solar Farm located near Townsville, in northern Queensland. The farm is being constructed by Sun Metals to ensure their zinc refinery at the same location receives un-interrupted power supply as also at a cheaper rate. The project was commissioned in May 2017 formally opened on 13 Aug 2018.

of electricity will be generated per year. This accounts for nearly 29% of the zinc refinery’s current base load power needs of just over 900,000 MWh per annum required to produce 225,000 tonnes of zinc .

estimated reduction in CO2 emissions each year.

hectares of refinery land will be used.

solar panels will be used. First Solar is set to provide its thin-film CdTe panels.

major organizations involved. Project Developer: Sun Metals, EPC: RCR Tomlinson, Distribution: Will feed into local sub-station/grid

estimated project cost. The project will be funded totally out of Sun Metals’ cash and the project has not been subsidised by any state or federal funded renewable scheme, according to Sun Metals Corporation chief financial officer Kathy Danaher.

peak jobs during construction phase.

FTE during operational phase.

RCR Tomlinson awarded $155 million EPC contract for the farm. RCR’s scope of works includes engineering, construction and commissioning of the complete solar power station including the building of access tracks, civil, structural and electrical construction. RCR will also provide a 33V overhead transmission line from the solar farm to the existing substation.

Financial close achieved.

Construction begins.

Farm nearing completion.

Sun Metal's Chief executive Yun Choi informed the Townsville Bulletin that the plant would begin commissioning in a staged approach in the next two weeks, and should be operating at full capacity by the end of May.

Formal opening of the farm in the presence of Queensland Premier Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Queensland State member for Townsville and Deputy Speaker of the House Scott Stewart.