Downer has delivered Hunter Water’s biggest solar PV installation yet, with the Balickera solar farm set to generate approximately half of Hunter Water’s renewable energy generation (with a capacity of 3.1MW).

The completion of the project marks a significant milestone in the customer’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, with the solar array set to help power the station’s large pumps and other critical water supply assets.

As principal contractor, Downer provided vital support through the design, supply and construction phases of the project.

The installation included over 5,500 ground-mounted solar panels over three hectares adjacent to Balickera Pump Station, positioned in two sections on either side of the Balickera Canal.

The location of the canal presented several challenges that required careful management to ensure minimal disruption to the project timeline – a challenge met head-on by Downer’s New Energy team.

Downer also assisted with extensive environmental rehabilitation including preparing logs to go to an environmental restoration site – to serve as a future habitat for native animals – and mulching remaining vegetation to be used on-site for landscaping.

With electricity use accounting for up to 10% of Hunter Water’s operating costs, the project is expected to generate substantial annual savings and benefits, estimated by Hunter Water at approximately $700,000 per year.