Daly River Solar Plant Stage 2

Location

Daley River, Nothern Territory

Value

$3.4 million

Client

Power and Water Corporation

Status

Complete

About the project

BMD delivered engineering, procurement and construction of a 1 megawatt solar facility near the remote Indigenous community of Nauiyu, in joint venture with Conergy. The project provides up to 100% of the community’s energy needs during the day, and 50% of the surrounding area’s energy needs. Apart from the local air quality benefits, the reduction in fuel also means the community is less susceptible to diesel fuel prices and less reliant on fuel transportation.

Nauiyu was one of the first Northern Territory communities to be chosen for the Solar Energy Transformation Program (SETuP), a $55 million project developed by Power and Water Corporation to deliver 10 megawatts of solar powered energy to 35 remote Indigenous communities throughout the Northern Territory.

Scope

All electrical, earthing and lighting protection

A bespoke foundation system involving drilling, placement and grouting in place anchors for precast foundations

Assembly, erection and alignment of photovoltaic (PV) array frames and structures

Installation of PV controller and associated communication cabling

Supply, installation and commissioning of monitoring, control and metering equipment

Outcomes

The project team overcame significant inherent design challenges including rocky geotechnical conditions, the remoteness of site, and periodic flooding on roads.As part of BMD’s commitment to providing career opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, local contractors and Indigenous labour were engaged on the project, amounting to 50% of the total labour force. All members of the project team also undertook cultural awareness training which benefited all parties in creating an inclusive and dedicated project team.The project was successfully completed on schedule and on budget.