Mulwala solar farm in New South Wales nears completion

It will add 25 MWs of new capacity.

Google, AirTrunk, and European Energy Australia are close to completing a 25-megawatt solar farm in the Riverina district of New South Wales, adding new capacity to Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).

The Mulwala Solar Farm, announced in 2023 under a corporate power purchase agreement structure, will supply electricity to the grid once it begins operations.

The companies said in a joint statement that the project adds renewable generation capacity to the system and supports Australia’s energy transition, whilst forming part of Google’s effort to operate on carbon-free energy around the clock.

The solar farm connects digital infrastructure demand with new renewable generation through a long-term electricity agreement framework, with electricity flowing into the NEM.

The companies developed the project through a partnership linking data centre demand and renewable energy development.

Bikash Koley, Vice President of Global Infrastructure at Google, said the company aims to align growth in digital services with cleaner electricity supply and referenced its Digital Future Initiative in Australia.

Damien Spillane, Chief Customer and Innovation Officer at AirTrunk, said data centres can support investment in renewable energy and contribute to energy system development through long-term demand.

Catriona McLeod, Managing Director at European Energy Australia, said the project demonstrates collaboration between technology companies and renewable developers in bringing new solar capacity online.