Stubbo Solar Farm

Client: ACEN
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date: 2023-25

Providing comprehensive Owner's Engineer services for the design, construction, and successful commissioning of a 400 MW solar farm

Background

ACEN Australia’s Stubbo Solar and Battery project is a 400 MW renewable energy project near Gulgong, in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) of New South Wales. The development generates electricity from 930,000 photovoltaic panels situated on 1,250 hectares of land. Stubbo Solar is connected into the existing 330 kV transmission line operated by Transgrid.

Entura was engaged as Owner’s Engineer, with PCL as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor. Construction began in 2023, progressing through the installation of access roads, many rows of solar panels, the substation and all the necessary electrical infrastructure such as inverters and cables.

Solution

As Owner’s Engineer, our specialists in renewable energy solutions supported the project’s owners with multidisciplinary technical advice and review of all civil, electrical and mechanical components of the project throughout design, construction and commissioning.

This included:

  • reviewing plans and designs, including electrical designs and balance of plant infrastructure
  • helping the owner respond to technical issues
  • reviewing quality assurance plans and information
  • providing advice regarding general construction plans, including earthworks, roads, drainage, solar trackers, piles, substation footings and structures, and safety issues such as containment of transformer oil
  • conducting site inspections and quality reviews, including developing punch-lists of issues for resolution prior to commissioning
  • evaluating performance and conducting testing.

These activities drew on our multidisciplinary expertise, robust internal processes, and significant experience providing dependable Owner’s Engineer services on renewable energy and BESS projects, including ACEN Australia’s New England Solar project.

“I’m proud of how Entura has been able to support our client across a broad and technically diverse scope through deep technical expertise, strong internal collaboration across disciplines, and a solutions-focused mindset. The project demonstrates our commitment to delivering value to our clients and to supporting Australia’s clean energy transition.” Han Wong, Senior Renewable Energy Engineer, Entura.

Outcome

Entura’s involvement substantially reduced risk for our client. We anticipated risk areas, provided timely reviews and inspections, and followed through to resolve issues in an efficient manner.

Stubbo Solar began operations and was officially opened by the NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Heritage, The Hon Penny Sharpe, in October 2025. It is expected to generate enough renewable energy to power 185,000 average Australian homes per year, contributing to NSW’s target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and to establish a reliable, affordable and clean energy system.

The site has traditionally been used for sheep grazing and it’s expected this activity will be able to continue during operations. The solar panels were installed at a height and spacing to allow for sheep to graze in and around the rows of modules, building on ACEN Australia’s successful sheep grazing methodology at its New England Solar project, near Uralla in NSW.

Stubbo Solar also includes the provision for a 200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), meaning the project can dispatch electricity when it is most needed during peak hours, and provide important grid stability services. 

Entura is proud to continue supporting the safe, timely, and quality completion, successful connection and commissioning of renewable energy and storage projects throughout Australia and the Indo-Pacific.

“Projects like ACEN Australia’s Stubbo Solar and New England Solar project have been great opportunities for our team to deepen our experience as Owner’s Engineer on complex solar developments. Every project has unique challenges but what remains constant is our commitment to finding practical solutions that stand up technically, add real value and give our clients confidence.” Andrew Wright, Senior Principal Renewables and Energy

 

To find out more about some of the other solar projects we’ve supported – with services including due diligence, design, grid connection and Owner’s Engineer – see: