Cohuna Solar Plant Back in Action After Energy Safe Shutdown

Enel Green Power Australia has confirmed that its 27 MW Cohuna Solar Farm in Victoria, Australia is partially operating again after shutting down because of a grassfire last November. The Victorian government-owned agency Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) ordered Enel Green Power to stop generating power at the site after early investigations into the fire raised concerns about specific equipment used at the solar farm. After following the directions provided by ESV, Enel Green Power resumed generating power on Dec. 17, operating at about 75% capacity and currently ramping up to full capacity. Enel worked with ESV to comply with all relevant directions.

ESV CEO Leanne Hughson said early investigations raised concerns about specific equipment used at the solar farm. The solar plant installed 87,000 bifacial modules mounted on single-axis trackers. ESV has directed the operator to carry out inspections and implement interim safety measures before the solar plant, operational since 2021, is powered up again. Meanwhile, the operator is working to find a permanent solution to prevent the issue from recurring and working closely with ESV to comply with the current direction.

These developments follow after Enel Green Power signed a long-term offtake agreement with SmartestEnergy for its 93 MW Girgarre solar project in Victoria. Enel Green Power also has a stake in the Bungala 1 and Bungala 2 solar farms in South Australia, along with constructing the 75.6 MW Flat Rocks Wind Farm in Western Australia.