News

Ingka Group, owner of the iconic IKEA Retail business, has increased its Australian renewable energy capacity by acquiring a 195 MW DC solar PV portfolio from Enerparc Australia for approximately $250 million.

The deal involves two generating projects with a combined capacity of 13.3 MW DC in Peak Hill and Trundle, near Parkes in central-west New South Wales, and a third in development 180 MW DC project also in NSW which is expected to start generating at the end of 2025.

Although not specifically named, the only project Enerparc has of this scale in Australia is the 152 MW AC Tilbuster Solar Farm north of Armidale in northern NSW.

Tilbuster received final planning and environmental approvals in June last year and is now waiting an offer to connect. The proposal is for the installation of 405,888 solar panels, up to 30 power conversion units, a 330kV sub-station, a BESS of up to 40 MWh, and other ancillary equipment on a development site of 178.6ha.

Enerparc Australia, the regional division of German solar PV developer ENERPARC, has been active in Australia since 2017 and managing director Benjamin Hannig said they “remain committed to delivering innovative and sustainable energy solutions in Australia and look forward to advancing further projects of our pipeline in the near future”.

Other projects under development by Enerparc Australia are the 25 MW Innes Park Solar Farm in Queensland, 25 MW Tenterfield Solar Farm in NSW, and 12 MW Carag Carag Solar Farm in Victoria.

The Ingka Group last month acquired a 15% stake in Australia’s largest permitted wind farm, the 1300 MW Golden Plains Wind Farm in Victoria, as part of IKEA’s commitment to become climate positive by 2030. Stage one of the project will consist of 756 MW provided by 122 turbines.