Eni widens its Australian renewable energy portfolio with new photovoltaic projects

San Donato Milanese (Milan), 03 October 2019 - Eni Australia Limited has completed the acquisition of two construction-ready solar photovoltaic (PV) projects at Batchelor and Manton Dam, in the Northern Territory of Australia, from NT Solar Investments Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia’s Tetris Energy.

The projects will comprise the installation of 2x 12.5 MWp (Mega Watt peak) of ground-mounted PV panels and will be completed by the third quarter of 2020.

The installation of innovative cloud coverage predicting technology will ensure optimum operational performance in all weather conditions. This technology will forecast possible variations in solar irradiation so as to minimize the impact to the grid. State-owned Jacana Energy will purchase 100% of the new plants’ output, which will supply clean energy to over 5,000 homes each year.

The new projects will create local jobs and opportunities for Territorians and will contribute to the Northern Territory’s government goal for providing 50% of energy generation from renewable sources by 2030.

This initiative, together with the previously announced 33.7 MWp Katherine solar farm (currently under construction), increases Eni’s renewable energy investment into the Australian market and complements the company’s existing assets in the region’s. Eni’s commitment for the development of renewable energy projects integrates the traditional business and is a key element of the company’s pledge for energy transition towards a low carbon-emissions scenario.

The development of these photovoltaic projects is in line with Eni’s strategy, that concretely supports a just energy transition with the objective of preserving the planet and promoting an efficient and sustainable access to energy for all.

Eni has been present in Australia through its subsidiary Eni Australia Ltd since 2000. It is the operator and 100% owner of the Blacktip Gas Project and has a non-operated interest in the Bayu-Undan gas and condensate field and in the associated Darwin LNG plant.