Cohuna Solar Farm Resumes Operations
The 34 MW Cohuna solar farm, a winner of Victoria’s initial renewable energy auctions, has been inactive for almost a year. Situated near the town of Cohuna in northern Victoria, the solar farm ceased power generation in early April last year, drawing attention from energy data firm Watt Clarity.
Owned by Potentia Energy, formerly known as the Enel Green Power joint venture with Japan’s Inpex, the facility encountered setbacks due to its location and cost overruns with the original EPC contractor, Tempo Services.
Remediation Efforts and Upgrades
Potentia Energy has been engaged in extensive remediation and upgrade works throughout 2024 to restore the site to full capacity. The company aims to resume operations in the first quarter of this year after addressing site-wide component failures. The ongoing electrical works involve replacing components such as DC cables and cable connections to enhance quality, reliability, and the asset’s lifespan.
The Cohuna project, among the winners of Victoria’s 2018 renewable energy auction, secured a 15-year contract with the state government. However, it faced challenges operating on a weak section of the grid known as the “Rhombus of Regret,” which limited output until the issue was resolved. The project also experienced downtime in early 2022.
Other Projects by Potentia Energy
Potentia Energy manages the 220 MW Bungama solar projects in South Australia, the largest in the state, and the 75 MW Flat Rock wind farm in Western Australia. Additionally, the company is in the process of commissioning the 93 MW Girgarre solar farm in Victoria and constructing the Quorn Park hybrid project in NSW, which includes 98 MW solar capacity and a 20 MW/40 MWh battery. Potentia Energy holds development rights for a pipeline of over 7 GW of wind, solar, battery, and hybrid projects across Australia.
Despite the challenges faced by the Cohuna solar farm, Potentia Energy remains committed to enhancing its operations and contributing to Australia’s renewable energy landscape.
