High demand and material shortages in the global supply chain have pushed back the construction schedule of King Island’s new Solar Farm.

The $4.5M project, announced late last year for the Huxley Hill Wind Farm site, is intended to increase the amount of renewable energy produced on King Island and replace 300,000 litres of diesel on the island every year.

The 1.5MW solar installation will also offset an additional 800 tonnes of CO₂ per annum.

Simon van der Aa, Specialist Electrical Engineer at Hydro Tasmania, said the project team had recently learned that a key piece of infrastructure could not be delivered on time.

“Unfortunately, due to material shortages and high demand, the kiosk substation ordered to connect the solar farm to the King Island 11kV network won’t likely be delivered until August/September 2023,” Mr van der Aa said.

“This will result in site work likely stopping around April/May and then recommencing for a short period around September/October 2023, despite the original goal of finishing this financial year.”

Hydro Tasmania is committed to working with stakeholders about the revised construction timeline.

The solar project will form part of the existing King Island Renewable Integration Project (KIREIP), a world-leading, hybrid, off-grid power system.  It is expected to remain in operation for at least 20 years.

To find out more around the King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project and to see the island’s real-time energy demand and contribution download the free app on apple and android (search hydro-kireip).

Ends.

Released for Hydro Tasmania by Duncan Abey / 0409 722 359/ media@hydro.com.au