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The 10-megawatt(MW)capacity Greenough River Solar Farm,which is Australia's biggest solar photovoltaic project comprising 150,000 panels,was officially opened on Wednesday.
The project,covering 50 hectares of farmland about 50km south-east of Geraldton,was completed in about 12 months,on time and on budget.
Energy produced by the farm is being purchased by the Water Corporation to help offset the energy requirement of its Southern Seawater Desalination Plant,near Binningup in the state's south.
Water Minister Bill Marmion said the farm was a major boost for WA's renewable energy sector.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the state government had provided$20 million towards the$50 million project,including a$10 million investment from the Royalties for Regions program,with the remainder contributed by joint venture partners Verve Energy and GE Energy Financial Services.
"The initial performance of the Greenough River Solar Farm has exceeded expectations and the potential to expand the project to 40MW of capacity will be evaluated by Verve Energy in the future,"Mr Grylls said.
