North West Transmission Developments
Energy transition
Sunraysia Solar Farm
Sunraysia Solar Farm is a large-scale solar photovoltaic facility located near Balranald in western New South Wales. The project was approved as State Significant Development and includes a solar farm and supporting infrastructure connected to the nearby transmission network.
Our team supported the project across key stages of the asset lifecycle, beginning with technical due diligence to support the potential acquisition of the solar facility. The review focused on the areas that matter most to investment confidence, including procurement and planning risk, technology and systems risk, operations and maintenance arrangements, grid connection, curtailment and asset performance.
During construction, our team was engaged by the engineering, procurement and construction contractor as Independent Certifier for the design and construction of the asset. Towards commissioning, we also supported John Laing to review potential strategies to manage marginal loss factor volatility for the plant.
The challenge
Utility-scale solar assets depend on strong early decisions, disciplined delivery and a clear understanding of grid-related risks. For Sunraysia Solar Farm, stakeholders needed confidence in the project’s technical, planning, commercial and operational assumptions before committing to the next stage of investment and delivery.
The review needed to consider a broad range of issues, from planning and procurement risk through to technology performance, operations and maintenance obligations, asset availability and reliability. Grid connection, curtailment and marginal loss factor volatility also required careful attention because they can materially affect how a renewable energy asset performs once connected to the National Electricity Market.
As the project moved into construction and commissioning, independent design and construction certification was also important to provide confidence that the asset was being delivered in line with the required design and construction expectations.
Our approach
Our specialists delivered technical due diligence to support the potential acquisition of the solar facility, reviewing the key technical and commercial risks that could influence investment confidence and long-term asset performance.
The assessment considered procurement and planning risk, technology and systems risk, operations and maintenance contract performance, grid connection, curtailment, capital and operating cost sensitivities, and asset availability and reliability. This provided a structured view of the project’s risk profile and the issues that needed to be understood before acquisition decisions progressed.
During construction, our team acted as Independent Certifier for the design and construction of the asset. Towards commissioning, we supported John Laing with a review of potential strategies to manage marginal loss factor volatility, helping stakeholders consider practical responses to changing grid conditions.
The result
Our work supported more informed decision-making across the acquisition, construction and commissioning stages of the project.
The technical due diligence helped clarify the key risks and performance considerations associated with the solar facility. The Independent Certifier role provided an additional layer of assurance during design and construction, while the marginal loss factor review supported commissioning-stage decision-making in a changing grid environment.
For project stakeholders, the engagement helped bring greater clarity to the technical, commercial and grid-related factors that influence renewable energy asset performance. For the broader energy sector, Sunraysia Solar Farm forms part of the continued growth of large-scale renewable generation in New South Wales.
