Commercial & Industrial

BE Power Batchelor Solar Farm

BE Power Batchelor Solar Farm featured image
  • Client
    BSF Co Pty Ltd
  • Role
    Client-Side Project Manager
    Superintendent
  • Partners
    BSF Co Pty Ltd
    British Solar Renewable EPC (BSR EPC)
    BE Power Services
  • Value
    $17m

About the Project

SwitchCo was engaged as Client-side PM/ Superintendent to manage significant enhancement of the local electricity network supply in Batchelor, Northern Territory, through the design, construction and commissioning of Batchelor solar farm.

BACKGROUND

The NT Government is implementing strategies and programs to achieve a target of 50% renewable energy by 2030. SwitchCo was engaged to manage the enhancement of Darwin-Katherine electricity network supply capacity, to allow for more electricity to be added to the existing NT grid through constructing a greenfield 10MW grid connected solar power plant.

CHALLENGES

The project commenced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia in early-2020. Ongoing border closures and travel restrictions made travel to the site for anyone based outside of the NT difficult, which included SwitchCo, the client, and the EPC Contractor. This resulted in delays in construction and added costs associated with catering to the restrictions. The project team needed to quickly pivot in response to these uncertain conditions. SwitchCo worked closely alongside all stakeholders to mitigate these challenges as a team via deploying an adaptive and responsive project management methodology throughout the entire project life cycle.

OUTCOMES

SwitchCo used its range of resources and specialty skills to remotely manage the project. This included an incremental approach, allowing greater adaptability and responsiveness as required by the effects of the pandemic. The project has been constructed successfully and grid connection hold point compliance testing is underway. The NT electrical distribution network capacity has been enhanced as Batchelor solar farm is currently exporting 5MW into the grid. This remarkable achievement in getting this interim dispatch while commissioning is in progress was mainly due to SwitchCo’s effective project stakeholder management. This approach resulted in significant time saving in governing the commissioning and grid connection process, through managing the expectations and balancing the needs across all involved parties.

Testimonial

"Alla has demonstrated a focus on managing outstanding tasks and milestones despite challenging project and personal circumstances. Alla’s assistance in progressing toward completion on both MC Power projects is acknowledged and appreciated"
— Warren Bennett, Merricks Capital