en.Wedoany.com Reported - Victoria's largest new solar farm, Goorambat East, has been fully commissioned and officially handed over to its operator, with the project testing various autonomous robotics technologies during construction.

The 250 MW solar farm, located near Benalla in the state's north, is the first solar project built in Australia by Engie. Engie also owns the Hazelwood Battery Energy Storage System in the Latrobe Valley, built on the site of a former coal-fired power plant.

Engie acquired the project from Neoen in 2023, with most construction completed by the end of last year and first power delivered to the grid.

Contractor Equans ANZ announced the official completion and handover of the project this week. According to Renew Economy, Equans ANZ project engineer Vincent Fendel stated on LinkedIn on Tuesday that the 250 MVA project has been fully commissioned and handed over to the operations and maintenance department, with all teams delivering on time, completing the entire process from the first trench to the final string test from November 2024 to June 2026.

Goorambat East is one of several solar projects in Australia piloting robotics technologies to reduce costs in labor-intensive installations. The project used technologies from multiple companies to demonstrate automated installation of piles and solar modules.

Boston-based Luminous Robotics received AUD 4.9 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to test panel installation robots. The company's CEO, Jay Wong, stated that these robots achieved installation rates 103% higher than the typical shift targets of contractors.

Chinese company Leapting also tested its technology on the project, which is said to replace teams of up to four people and can install heavier panels. Additionally, Build Robotics' automatic pile driver was also tested at Goorambat East, with the robot also receiving Arena funding.

The robotics trials were facilitated by contractors Bouygues Construction Australia and Equans Solar & Storage Australia, with Engie hoping these technologies can reduce construction costs in the future.

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