The 300MW Walla Walla solar photovoltaic (PV) project is located in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Australia (FRV Australia), an Australian power company co-owned by Abdul Latif Jameel Energy and Canadian fund OMERS, is developing the project.
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FRV Australia received approval from the Independent Planning Commission of NSW for the project’s concept in November 2020.
Construction on the project commenced in January 2023 and was completed in July 2024.
The Walla Walla solar plant produced the first kilowatt-hour of clean energy in November 2024 and became fully operational in October 2025.
The solar farm has an annual production capacity of 740,000MWh of renewable electricity and has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 520,000 tonnes each year.
Walla Walla is FRV’s eighth operational project and can supply clean energy to up to 90,000 homes and businesses across NSW.
During the construction phase, the project created 350 jobs, stimulating regional employment and local services.
Project location
The Walla Walla solar farm covers an area of 605 hectares in the Riverina region, roughly 4km to the northeast of Walla Walla and 10km south-west of Culcairn in southern NSW.
It is located just off Benambra Road, about 2.6km west of the Olympic Highway, within the jurisdiction of the Greater Hume Local Government Area.
Walla Walla solar farm details
The Walla Walla solar PV project is equipped with approximately 700,000 solar PV modules mounted on single-axis trackers, which are installed at a maximum height of 4.85m from the ground on steel frames.
The plant includes approximately 76 modular inverter units interconnected through a network of electrical cables to ensure efficient power transmission.
Supporting infrastructure for the solar farm encompasses an operations and maintenance (O&M) building, with parking facilities secured by perimeter fencing.
The operational lifespan of the project is 30 years.
Transmission details
The solar farm utilises an existing transmission line that runs parallel to the western boundary of the site to connect to the 330kV Jindera to Wagga Wagga power line.
Moreover, a newly constructed TransGrid substation equipped with transformers, switchgear, and control and protection systems acts as a connection hub.
The project also features a 33kV/330kV transformer with dedicated protection mechanisms.
Project financing
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation pledged A$100m ($67m) in senior debt finance towards the Walla Walla solar farm in December 2022, alongside finance from ING and Export Development Canada.
Power purchase agreement
FRV Australia signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft to provide renewable energy generated by the Walla Walla solar farm to power its data centres in Australia.
The PPA supports Microsoft’s goals of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Contractors involved
Gransolar Group (GRS), an engineering and construction services provider, entered into an agreement with FRV Australia in December 2022 to construct the Walla Walla solar plant.
GRS formed a joint venture with CHINT Solar/Astronergy for constructing the project.
Hutchinson Civil, a civil construction company, was contracted for the construction of sealed entrance roads, 17km of gravel access roads, conduit installation, creek crossing construction and environmental management.
Trigalana Environmental, an Australian private company, was commissioned to conduct an independent environmental audit.
Construction Consultants, an engineering company, was tasked with providing quantity surveying services.
All Energy Contracting, a construction company, was contracted to perform the balance of electrical works for the project.
EngiMaster, an engineering services provider, provided structural design and certification services for the 33kV harmonic filter switch room at the solar farm.
Lumea, an infrastructure services provider part of TransGrid, was responsible for connecting the solar farm to the grid.
Herbert Smith Freehills advised FRV Australia on the project financing.
NGH, an environmental, planning and advisory consultancy, prepared the constraints assessments and scoping reports, in addition to offering construction support.
Streamlined Energy, a provider of electrical construction management and electrical distribution products and services, was responsible for supplying, testing and installing indoor and outdoor 33kV terminations.
HP Profiles, an electrical corrugated conduit manufacturer, supplied a range of high-performance conduit solutions for the project.
ACLE Services, a turnkey solution provider, provided piling and mechanical services for the project.
