Community Newsletter - March 2025
Delivering a more sustainable future
Clean energy solutions provider Gentari has reached a key milestone with the recent issuance of a ‘Notice to Proceed’ for its Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage Project.
The Maryvale Project is a next-generation hybrid renewable energy facility with approximately 243MWp of Photovoltaics (PV) DC-coupled with ~2.4hr of advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity.
“The Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage Project marks a key step in Gentari’s ongoing efforts to contribute to the global energy transition. By integrating advanced solar and storage technologies, we aim to provide reliable renewable energy while supporting the decarbonisation of the grid”, said Low Kian Min (Chief Renewables Officer, Gentari). “At Gentari, we remain steadfast in our goal to enable a cleaner, more sustainable future, leveraging strong partnerships and innovative solutions to drive impact.”
Following the recent signings of the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with PCL Construction’s Solar Division, the PV Module and Battery Energy Storage System supply contracts with top tier Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) Trinasolar and Contemporary Amperex Technology Australia Pty Ltd, the Grid Connection Agreement with Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP) Essential Energy, and confirmation of land agreements, all primary contracts are now in place for the project to transition from development to delivery phase.
Additionally, with the Long-Term Energy Service Agreements (LTESA) award by AEMO Services as the NSW Consumer Trustee through its fourth tender, the Maryvale Project is set to become one of the first Solar-BESS hybrid projects under the LTESA framework.
Construction is due to commence by the end of Q1 2025, with commercial operations anticipated to start in Q2 2027.
Team Spotlight - Damien Taylor, Vegetation Management Supervisor.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your role at Gentari Solar Australia?
My role at Gentari stems from my background in agriculture, which includes over 40 years’ experience in the farming sector – owning and operating dairy farms, broad acreage cropping farms, as well as sheep and intensive beef feedlots.
I oversee the vegetation across all our project sites. I guide, lead, and mentor others on best practices involving the landscape and environment, including recommending the equipment that best suits the location, monitoring weather patterns, and ensuring our sites are clear and safe to work and operate.
What do you see as the benefits of integrating agricultural activities with utility-scale solar projects?
The grazing of sheep is an integral part of our operations – bringing a balance between agriculture and renewable energy initiatives. We currently run 9,000 head in total across all our solar farms.
There are lots of benefits from grazing sheep under solar panels arrays. Firstly, they create shade and do a great job keeping the sheep out of the elements of the weather. We have seen resounding results with weight gain, volume and quality of wool, and higher conception rates.
Other benefits include a reduction in the need for chemical application and mowing or slashing.
What are your interests outside of work?
My other passions that keep me busy are breeding and breaking horses and assisting in the running of a 3,500 beef feedlot in southern NSW.
A local approach to engagement
In October 2024, the Project team held a community information session at the Four Cat’s Coffee in Wellington. The session provided community members the opportunity to meet the team and stay up to date.
“It’s great to get out-and-about and to learn what matters most to community members,” said Patricio Munoz (Community Engagement Manager, Gentari Solar Australia).
Approximately 60 people dropped-in to learn more about the Project, provide feedback, and ask questions. Discussions included the growth of renewable energy; project scope, timeline, and employment and business opportunities; fire management; and proposed vehicle movements.
“Open and ongoing engagement is key to successfully delivering projects”, said Patricio. “With pre-construction commencing in March 2025, I encourage everyone to get involved”.
Tracking the sun and saving energy
Construction of the Maryvale Solar and Energy Storage Project will consist of up to 400,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels, installed on a single axis tracker system in arrays.
This means that the PV panels on each array will rotate on one axis only, following the suns direction from east to west.
The single axis tracker system will consist of groups of PV modules (each approximately 2.5m x 1.1m in area) on steel mounting structures approximately 4m in height and in rows approximately 5 – 6m apart.
The Project will also install a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), consisting of approximately 122 ‘shipping container’ style buildings housing batteries, distributed across the site alongside inverter stations.
Embracing the sun and wind
The Maryvale Project team were recently proud to attend the 2024 Summit Trade Show in the Hunter Valley, hosted by the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce.
Our team formed part of the ‘Panyal Ngatan Wipi Corridor’ – which means ‘sun and wind’ in Wonnarua – and took the opportunity to talk with Aboriginal entrepreneurs, business owners and enterprising community groups.
The delivery of renewable energy projects creates opportunities to foster social and economic vitality across regional communities. This includes breaking down barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises and incorporating the diverse experience of Aboriginal businesses.
We look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with the businesses and communities where our team work and live.
Maryvale Solar Farm access road upgrades
PCL Construction’s Solar Division and A1 Earthworx Mining & Civil will be undertaking construction works for the Seatonville Road, Maryvale Road and Saxa Road intersection upgrade. This work will commence in March and finish in early June.
Full traffic control measures will be in place during working hours to ensure safety and manage disruptions.
To find out more, contact Gentari on (02) 8405 7963 or at community@gentari.com.au.
Pathways to a renewable future
Our steps towards a clean energy future will rely on the skill and know-how of the young people coming through our schools, vocational training institutions, and universities.
In November 2024, the Maryvale Project team joined over 40 exhibitors from a cross-section of vocational, apprenticeship and traineeship providers at the inaugural Orana Youth Forum 2024 in Dubbo.
“The renewable energy job sector is seeing significant growth,” said Emily Arthur (Graduate Project Engineer, Gentari Solar Australia). “As a graduate engineer at Gentari, I’ve had the opportunity to learn a diverse range of technical skills and apply them across many different projects”.
“Gentari is committed to building strong partnerships with the community and utilising the skill and experience found in the Central West”.
Get in touch
Gentari Solar Australia is committed to engaging respectfully with the local and regional community, including First Nations people, communities, and businesses.
Our team welcomes all feedback received from community members and landholders. Open, ongoing, and accessible communication ensures that projects are developed with consideration for local and regional feedback. Importantly, it also assists in delivering the best outcomes for the region.
To find out more, call us on (02) 8405 7963 or email the team at community@gentari.com.au.