CIMIC Group’s UGL has been awarded a contract for the design and works at the Mica Creek solar farm project in Mount Isa, following APA Group’s agreement with Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines (MIM) in December 2021.
UGL will perform design and construction works at the project comprising of the 88-megawatt Mica Creek solar farm, substation and transmission line for the APA Group.
Last month, APA announced that it would enter into a variation to an existing offtake agreement for the supply of renewable electricity for 15 years with MIM.
APA also announced the second stage of works following the initial 44-megawatts from stage one of the Mica Creek solar farm.
“UGL is a market leader in Australian renewables projects, and in the design and construction of high voltage transmission lines,” UGL managing director Doug Moss said.
“The Mica Creek project will be UGL’s third solar project for the APA Group.”
The development of the Mica Creek solar farm will reduce the emissions intensity from APA’s entire Mount Isa generation fleet even further, taking it well below the Australian average.
“We are proud to be supporting the growth of the Australian renewable energy market with these projects,” CIMIC Group executive chairman and chief executive officer Juan Santamaria said.
“UGL has deep experience in critical power infrastructure across transmission lines, solar farms and other renewables, and recently completed work on the Victorian Big Battery project in Victoria and the Wallgrove Grid Battery project in NSW.”
APA has been working with the Queensland Government to support the ongoing development of the North West Minerals Province.
The contract commenced in late 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2023, with both stages of the solar farm expected to be operational by mid-2023.