Australian energy retailer AGL Energy is set to develop one of Australia’s largest privately owned, non-mining renewable energy microgrids for Koompartu Farms, the largest almond orchard in South Australia. The project will be built at the farm in the Riverland region near Monash and is being developed for US-based private equity firm RRG Capital Management.
The large-scale microgrid is designed to meet the orchard’s growing electricity needs while reducing its dependence on conventional power sources. Koompartu Farms has an energy demand of around 6.7 MW, and the new renewable energy system will provide a reliable and sustainable power supply for its day-to-day operations.
The project will occupy around 15 hectares of land and feature a 9.2 MWp solar power plant equipped with more than 15,600 single-axis tracking solar modules. These tracking systems will follow the movement of the sun throughout the day to improve electricity generation and increase the overall efficiency of the solar installation.
To support continuous power availability, the project will also include a 10.2 MWh battery energy storage system. The battery installation will be divided into four separate units, allowing excess solar energy generated during the day to be stored and used when solar production is low or during periods of high electricity demand.
As irrigation is critical for almond farming, the microgrid has been designed with multiple backup systems to ensure reliable operations. The project includes 16 diesel backup generators along with a 19-kilometre underground high-voltage electricity network that will distribute power across the 9,340-hectare property. The renewable energy system will also be connected to the SA Power Networks distribution grid, enabling additional electricity supply whenever the farm’s energy demand exceeds the available solar generation.
AGL Energy will deliver the project under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Under this arrangement, the company will finance, build, own, operate, and maintain the renewable energy assets throughout the contract period. This allows Koompartu Farms to focus on its agricultural activities without having to manage the energy infrastructure.
The project is expected to deliver significant environmental benefits by reducing the farm’s dependence on diesel generators by around 88%. It also supports Australia’s broader transition toward clean energy in the agricultural sector. The development builds on AGL Energy’s previous microgrid projects for almond orchards in New South Wales but represents a much larger and more complex installation. The project highlights the increasing adoption of behind-the-meter renewable energy systems by large commercial agricultural operations seeking reliable electricity, lower emissions, and improved energy security while reducing pressure on the electricity grid.
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