The new 119 megawatt (MW) Horsham solar farm in western Victoria has connected to the grid for the first time, the first part of what will likely be the state’s first solar-battery hybrid project.
The $370 million Horsham solar project, also known as the SEC Renewable Energy Park, will now start working through its commissioning phase, with the first of the battery modules for the 100 MW, 200 MWh storage component to be delivered later this year.
The Horsham solar project was a winner of one of the state-run renewable energy auctions, but sat idle until the state owned SEC bought the project in 2024 and transformed into a solar-battery hybrid.
It will be one of the first in the state, if not the first, depending on progress at the Fulham solar and battery project, which is yet to connect to the grid.
Solar and battery hybrids now dominate the renewable construction market, because of their competitive costs and ease of build, although they remain a relatively new technology.
