Energy giant AGL, in partnership with RRG Capital Management, is set to deliver a renewable microgrid for Koompartu Farms in South Australia’s Riverland region.
Spanning 15 hectares, the infrastructure project is set to become one of the largest privately owned, non-mining microgrids in the nation, illustrating a major shift in how Australian agribusinesses navigate the clean energy transition.
The system will feature a 9.2 megawatt-hour solar PV single-axis tracking array consisting of more than 15,600 solar panels. To ensure constant power supply, the solar array will be supported by a 10.2 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system composed of four separate units, 16 diesel backup generators, and 19 kilometres of underground high-voltage power lines.
AGL General Manager of Sustainable Business Energy Solutions, Brendan Weinart, said the project highlights how tailored, large-scale systems can support the heavy power requirements of modern primary production.
“This is a first-of-its-kind project and has been designed to improve local grid capacity and provide the reliability needed to keep critical irrigation systems operating,” Weinart said.
“With diesel genset usage expected to fall by 88 per cent, the project shows the role tailored microgrid solutions can play in helping businesses reduce emissions and improve resilience.”
The scale of the microgrid means it is forecast to generate enough clean energy to match the average consumption of a small regional town like nearby Berri, which houses roughly 3,000 residents.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the construction of the system has actively supported regional suppliers and boosted local employment opportunities across the Riverland.
The infrastructure will be delivered under a 20-year power purchase agreement. Under the terms of the deal, AGL will completely fund, build, own, operate, and maintain the renewable assets, allowing Koompartu Farms to focus entirely on its agricultural output without facing upfront capital costs.