KUALA LUMPUR (May 11): Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) said on Monday that it has secured a contract to deliver the 75-megawatt solar farm in Western Australia.

The Jinbi Solar Farm project consists of 160,000 panels in the Pilbara region, the company said in a statement. The project owned by Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation, Australia’s indigenous-led renewable energy initiatives, will supply power to mining giant Rio Tinto.

“This project is not only a vital addition to our renewable energy pipeline but also a testament to our commitment to the Pilbara’s future infrastructure,” said John Anderson, chief executive of Gamuda’s wholly owned Australian unit DT Infrastructure.  

The contract value was not disclosed. RHB Research said in a post-announcement note that the contract could be worth around RM600 million for Gamuda. 

Jinbi Solar Farm adds to Gamuda’s growing portfolio in Australia, including Stage 1 of Marinus Link that will connect Tasmania and Victoria with undersea and underground cables and stations, Carmody’s Hill Wind Farm, the Goulburn River Solar Farm, and the Boulder Creek Wind Farm.

The notice-to-proceed issued to Gamuda follows financial close confirming that key funding, contractual arrangements, government approvals and consents required for construction have been secured. A 30-year power purchase between Rio Tinto and Yindjibarndi Energy has also been signed.

“This milestone enables us to immediately progress with the construction phase of the project,” Yindjibarndi Energy chief executive officer Craig Ricato said in a separate statement.

Full commercial operations, which will mark the start of the 30-year power purchase agreement, are expected in mid-2028, according to Rio Tinto.

Early site works are already underway, with Yurra, the preferred civil works partner of Yindjibarndi Energy, carrying out site preparation and mobilisation activities to ready the site for construction, the mining company added.

The Jinbi solar farm project comes an option to expand to 150 megawatts, including the potential addition of battery energy storage systems, subject to regulatory approvals and future development decisions.