• Located in Queensland, the Dalby project is one of Australia’s first hybrid photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects in operation.
  • The project is a PV installation with an output of 2.45 MWdc and a BESS with a capacity of 2.54 MW/5MWh, co-located and connected to the same national grid connection point.
  • It supplies more than 1,680 households and avoids 3,553 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

Fotowatio Renewable Vetures (FRV) Australia, a leading developer of sustainable energy solutions, and part of Jameel Energy, and the Canadian infrastructure fund OMERS have announced its first hybrid project in Dalby, a town in Queensland, Australia. This facility consists of a 2.45 MWdc solar photovoltaic (PV) and a 2.54 MW/5 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

Occupying a total area of 30 hectares, The Dalby project is one of the first developments in the country to combine photovoltaic power generation with a battery system, sharing the same point of connection to the national grid. The combination of solar PV and battery storage helps improve energy efficiency and grid resilience, while allowing for significant reductions in CO2 emissions.

The project will generate enough electricity to supply more than 1,680 households, contributing to cutting and avoiding 3,553 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) Contractor for the Project was Gransolar.

Throughout the construction phase, over 40 jobs were provided to local contractors and suppliers supporting a positive diversification of the local economy and a source of investment for the region.  It also provided indirect economic opportunities for local businesses, such as restaurants, small stores, hospitality and transportation services, material and equipment supply companies, and many other sectors.  Dalby will also impact positively on the power distribution network, allowing the integration of more stable renewable energy generation to it.

Dalby is FRV Australia’s first hybrid and BESS project to start operations.  FRV Australia is progressing the development of several other hybrid and BESS projects across the National Electricity Market (NEM).  In September 2022, FRV Australia received support for a large BESS project in Victoria – the Terang project – with a capacity 100MW.   The project received a USD $4.5 million (AUD $7 million) investment under Round 2 of the Victorian Government’s Energy Innovation Fund (EIF).  Later in 2022, FRV Australia was awarded a conditional funding from ARENA to support the construction of the Gnarwarre 250MW BESS project also in Victoria.  Both Terang and Gnarwarre are at RTB (Ready to Build) stage of development and the construction will commence in the second half of 2024.

FRV Australia’s CEO, Carlo Frigerio, said:

“Dalby is a small but strategic project for us.  It is in line with the pioneering spirit of FRV Australia, being always at the forefront of the energy transition and technology to create a better future for all of us”.

Christopher Curtain, OMERS Infrastructure Senior Managing Director for Asia-Pacific said:

“Dalby’s connection into the grid is another great milestone for FRV Australia.  As our first Australian hybrid project, we look forward to leveraging the learnings to continue to grow our Australian portfolio and continue to support the transition of the Australian energy system.”

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