Pacific Hydro

We’re incredibly proud of the strong relationship we’ve built with the Burdekin community since the commissioning of the Haughton Solar Farm in 2019. To Burdekin’s recovery following this year’s devastating floods, Pacific Blue has brought forward our annual Sustainable Community Fund, which is now open. We know how resilient this community is, and we want to do our part to help local groups get back on their feet. That’s why we’ve also extended the application period until Friday, 9 May, giving community organisations more time to apply.   Pacific Blue’s Haughton Sustainable Community Fund has funded 76 local projects that essential community facilities, local sports clubs, environmental sustainability efforts, and vital community services, including helping the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club to upgrade their First Aid Room and office, and purchase racing paddle boards for young . Eligible groups can apply for up to $10,000 from a total funding pool of $80,000. For more details and to apply, visit http://bit.ly/47w8DK0 Burdekin Shire Council

Not a bad view! Construction of our Battery Energy Storage System at Clements Gap Wind Farm in South Australia has reached an exciting project milestone, with the completion of the Bench (groundworks). Project Manager Michael Waters said, “We are now effectively out of the ground on the build and have reached up to the level we need to install our 50 battery containers, 25 inverters, Control Room, Transformer and all the other electrical equipment we need to charge and discharge our battery.” This also means we’ve completed the civil phase for the renewable energy project. Now we can hand over a section of the Bench to our Transmission Network Service Provider and project partner, ElectraNet Pty Ltd, to commence constructing the substation that will connect our BESS to the South Australian high voltage transmission network. “Next we get ready to land our batteries, inverters and everything else in their final positions like a giant Tetris game, by constructing an underground system of cables, footing and drainage that will the heavy electrical equipment,” added Michael. Upon completion, the new BESS will help South Australia’s grid stability by enabling renewable electricity to be used when it’s needed. For more information about our Clements Gap BESS project, visit http://bit.ly/3EIXB9Z

Pacific Blue is pleased to announce that Joanne D'Andrea has ed the executive leadership team as General Counsel & Company Secretary. Joanne brings with her a deep history of legal expertise and experience, most recently at logistics and agribusiness AWH Pty Ltd. Joanne’s strong commercial, governance and compliance skills and significant Board experience, along with her fresh perspectives and leadership will play a key role in driving our company forward. Welcome to the Pacific Blue team Joanne!

Pacific Blue is proud to once again be a signatory to the Clean Energy Council’s Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Projects. This is a voluntary set of commitments and standards to be upheld in the development of current and new clean energy projects. Pacific Blue is committed to engaging and collaborating with the communities where we develop and operate, with a strong track record of delivering lasting, sustainable benefits to these communities. We recognise that community is just as critical to project success as technical and financial factors. We work hard early to build and maintain respectful and collaborative relationships, and give back to host communities across all phases of the project lifecycle. As the industry continues to evolve, so has our approach to engagement. The CEC’s Best Practice Charter helps identify where we can do even better to deliver shared outcomes. Our 2022–2024 Best Practice Charter report can be read here: https://bit.ly/3ZuNlsO #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy

Pacific Blue was proud to again sponsor the Crystal Brook Classic Athletics Carnival on Saturday 19 October 2024, the third year we’ve ed the event in South Australia’s mid-north region through a grant under the Clements Gap Sustainable Community Fund. Hosted by the local Crystal Brook Football Club and the South Australian Athletic League, the Classic sees competitors and spectators from within the region as well as further afield from Adelaide and even interstate all come together to attend. “It’s important local events like this that are the lifeblood of communities and it’s truly heartening to see in person how our Community Funds are helping to make them a reality for the people who live and work near our Clements Gap site,” said Lachlan Sturt, Pacific Blue’s Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager. “What was inspiring for me was seeing the community come together in real time to carry out this event. Seeing the from local small businesses, like a local motor repair workshop and a local cafe, and then seeing the local football club, the netball club, the tennis club all represented — everyone all coming together to help showcase what a special part of the world Crystal Brook sits in.”

It may not seem like much from the outside, but the completion of this Battery Energy Storage System is very exciting news for Pacific Blue! Our 1.15 MW / 2.4 MWh BESS is located near Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and is a first for Pacific Blue and one of the first in the region. It’s one of many exciting utility-scale battery projects for Pacific Blue, including the Clements Gap Battery in South Australia, planned for completion in late 2025.   We were pleased to partner with Bureau Veritas Australia & New Zealand, United Energy, AZZO and Greenwood | EPC & Educator to deliver this important project to improve grid stability along the Peninsula, capture excess solar energy generated during the middle of the day and supply it back to the grid during high demand periods (such as at morning and evening). In another first for the project, we're also proud to be one of the first projects of its kind to participate in the 1-second Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) market, contributing to a greener and more reliable energy future.   Well done and thank you to the project team and our partners on this milestone achievement: Simon Maan, Daniel Choi, Paul Idzes, Pamitha Gunaratne, Niluksha Herath, Mark Rathbone, Adrian Ciccocioppo, Yuriy Odarenko. #AustralianRenewables #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergyFuture

Our CEO Domenic Capomolla recently caught up with renowned business commentator Richard Gluyas to talk about Pacific Blue’s origins as a pioneer in renewables, the challenges facing the industry, and our plans for the future, as we seek to double our clean energy production within five years. https://nab.co/3Y1cJ9X

On Monday we were excited to announce the successful applicants for the 2024 Clements Gap Sustainable Community Fund at a presentation hosted by the Port Broughton Bowling Club in South Australia. We had a fantastic turnout of local community and ists, all sharing inspiring stories about the great work Pacific Blue’s funding has ed—and what’s still to come! Congratulations to this year’s successful applicants: 1.     Crystal Brook Swimming Pool/ Belgravia Foundation 2.     Bowman Park Management Committee 3.     Crystal Brook Football 4.     Crystal Brook Golf Club 5.     Crystal Brook Netball Club 6.     Port Broughton Bowling Club 7.     Port Broughton Combined Sporting Club Our Sustainable Community Funds are part of how Pacific Blue gives back to the communities that host our clean energy projects with positive and lasting social, environmental and economic benefits. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/47w8DK0

Today is RUOK? Day, an annual reminder to check in with the people around us and have meaningful conversations about mental health. At Pacific Blue, mental health is a priority not just today, but every day. Today, as part of a suite of RUOK? Day activities, our Mental Health First Aid Officers surprised our Melbourne office with some furry special guests: therapy dogs Bindi and Ani, along with Caroline Mitri from Pawever Companions. "The dogs were so cute! It was great to be able to take a moment out of the day to spend time with them and Caroline, have a play, and learn about how pet therapy can reduce stress and boost your mood," said Caitlin Barnes, Senior Project Engineer in our Development, Delivery & Commercial Team (pictured below giving Bindi a handshake and a treat). #RUOKDay #MentalHealthMatters #EachOther #therapyanimals

We’re very excited to share that Pacific Blue’s 60-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Clements Gap, South Australia is one of only six projects selected for the Australian Government’s #CapacityInvestmentScheme. Located next to Pacific Blue’s existing wind farm, the 60-megawatt BESS will provide a duration of approximately 140 megawatt hours — equivalent to powering 20,000 households for two hours in South Australia. We’re proud to deliver projects like Clements Gap BESS that will contribute to a more reliable, affordable and low-emissions energy system, and we’re thrilled to welcome the Australian Government’s in realising our 2-gigawatt pipeline of capacity and energy storage solutions to help empower Australia’s #CleanEnergyFuture. https://bit.ly/3XtHzrj #AustralianRenewables #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #CleanEnergyFuture #CapacityInvestmentScheme