Pottinger Energy Park partnership announced
Someva and AGL Energy to partner on renewable project
The Pottinger Energy Park development team visited Hay to present to Hay Shire Council. From left Tim Mead and Jamie Chivers from Someva, Lecroma consultant Greg Ley and AGLs John Ambler. Image: The Riverine Grazier / Kimberly Grabham.
By Krista Schade
Someva Renewables have announced a partnership with energy powerhouse AGL Energy, for the development of the Pottinger Energy Park, 60 kilometres south of Hay.
The announcement was made during a joint presentation to Hay Shire Councillors, at last week’s Council meeting.
Someva is a NSW family-owned, Australian based company, who has spent the past two years measuring the wind and solar assets in the Hay and Edward River Local Government Areas, designing the development and consulting with community.
AGL operates Australia’s largest private electricity generation portfolio, and as the second-oldest listed company in Australia, has a 185-year history of operation.
“One of the things we heard, meeting Council and community, was that it was unique to have a small Australian developer, and if we could keep this project Australian owned it would be a benefit,” said Jamie Chivers, Someva’s Managing Director.
“About nine months ago we approached a number of energy businesses that we felt had the capability to support this project and, in the end, we partnered with AGL.
“This is the first announcement of this joint venture relationship.”
“We are very pleased to join with Someva on this project,” AGLs Director of Development told the meeting.
“This project in the Hay region is a very important part of the development of our new renewable project portfolio.”
AGL plans to close its last coal-fired power station by 2035.
The Pottinger Energy Park proposes 108 wind turbines, enough solar panels to generate 300 megawatts of energy from the sun and a battery storage system.
The energy generated is enough to power 455,000 homes annually, according to Someva.
The proposed project site is off the West Burrabogie Road, and pending approvals, construction is planned to commence in 2026. The energy park is scheduled to become fully operational by 2029.
The project is named after the Pottinger family, who through two generations installed and maintained windmills in the region from the early 1900s till 1982.
