GFG Alliance’s SIMEC Energy Australia (SEA) has signed a strategic partnership with Shanghai Electric for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for the Cultana Solar Farm project, in South Australia.

The agreement was signed by GFG Alliance Executive Chairman and CEO, Sanjeev Gupta (pictured, right), and President of Shanghai Electric, Huang Ou (pictured, left), in the presence of representatives from key supporting financial institutions.

Cultana is the first project of SIMEC Energy Australia’s $1 billion, 1 GW dispatchable renewable energy program in South Australia.

“With capacity of 280 MW, Cultana is expected to produce around 600 GWh/y of energy, powering GFG’s Whyalla Steelworks and a range of key government and commercial customers,” the company said.

“Set to be one of Australia’s largest solar farms, Cultana will deliver a range of benefits to the local community, increasing reliability and security of the state’s electricity supply and environmental benefits. The project is set to boost local employment, with circa-350 positions during construction,” GFG Alliance said.

Sanjeev Gupta, GFG Alliance Executive Chairman and CEO, said: “Cultana Solar Farm is an ambitious project that will deliver globally-competitive renewable energy on a large scale to power heavy industry. It is a great step forward in our vision to revitalise industry and we look forward to working with our partners to bring our renewables projects to life.”

GFG previously announced its ambition to invest in up to 10 GW of large-scale solar and other renewables projects across Australia.

Shanghai Electric, which has global expertise in such projects, including completion of the world’s largest concentrated solar power project in Dubai, will provide EPC for the Cultana project.

The Cultana project will play a key role in the development of the visionary 10 Mt/y Whyalla Next-Gen steel plant project and industry revitalisation strategy championed by GFG, GFG said.

Gupta said: “Our planned Next-Gen project will ignite a new industrial revolution in Australia. These projects are shining examples of GFG’s commitment to create a sustainable future for industry and build stronger local communities.”