Supporting Victoria’s Largest Solar Farm

Sustainability and construction go hand in hand at Goorambat East Solar Farm.

The path to cleaner energy can be a tough one. While project tangibles such as bottom-line power generation often steal the limelight, it’s the behind-the-scenes challenges that tell the real story of what it takes to reach zero emissions.

Those involved in establishing clean energy capture projects are working with fast-evolving technology. The sheer scale of many developments also means that active worksites with huge footprints are the norm, adding to logistical pressures during construction and commissioning of these sites.

For the most committed project stakeholders, it’s not just about delivering zero emissions power once infrastructure is up and running, it’s also important to take a holistic approach to minimise environmental impact during all stages of project development, construction and commissioning – as is the case for ENGIE’s Goorambat East Solar Farm.

Based about 12 kilometres north of Benalla near the township of Goorambat, the solar farm will be Victoria’s largest once completed in 2026. With a generation capacity of 250 megawatts (enough to power up to 105,000 average Victorian homes) coming from 500,000 solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels, the project will also help displace up to 558,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. These are impressive numbers and so is the size of the farm which takes in approximately 630 hectares of land. To offer a visual comparison, most sports fields are around a hectare in size.

Helping to bring the project to life is procurement and construction contractor, Bouygues Construction Australia, and its joint venture partner, Equans Solar and Storage, who began construction works on the project in October 2024. One of the first tasks for Bouygues was to appoint a suitable hire company for the project

Partnering for Sustainability and Efficiency

Kennards Hire successfully tendered for the work, and according to Bouygues Construction Australia Social Procurement and Community Engagement Manager, Sarah Craven, the company was an attractive partner for several reasons.

“We needed a partner that could not only provide the machines and general equipment needed, but could also align with the broader environmental goals of the project,” Sarah explained.

“There was also the situation where Bouygues Construction as a multinational company was going to regional Victoria for a major development and we needed expertise and efficiency, with no room for error. Historically we’d been involved successfully with Kennards Hire on other projects, so that also came into play when choosing them.” 

Low Emission Solutions for Big Impact Goals

Given the heavy focus on sustainability during the construction phase, Kennards Hire was able to recommend and supply 150kVA solar powered generators with batteries and diesel backup. These were located at several points within the compound, providing power to both the main admin buildings as well as satellite locations around the expansive work site. With project works being undertaken mainly during daylight hours, the solar-powered generators were extremely effective in their operation.

A One-Stop-Shop for Construction Needs

Aside from specialised equipment such as the solar powered generators, we provided convenience and efficiency for project stakeholders with its large and diverse hire capabilities.

Among the items supplied were 50 site buildings, which were customised to suit Bouygues Construction Australia’s requirements, including use as offices, induction rooms, lunchrooms, a conference space, and, of course, toilet, shower, and changing-room amenities.

Kennards Hire also supplied trailer mounted fuel and water tanks, cable drum trailers and site lighting. Offering a true ‘one-stop shop’ service, Kennards Hire also organised office furniture such as desks, tables, seating and storage, offering its clients a single point of contact for all their requirements on the build.

Coordination Is Key

Working closely with Kennards Hire and playing a major role in coordinating logistics on the Goorambat East Solar Farm was Bouygues Construction Australia Engineer, Theo Manni, who took on the role of Installation Coordinator for the project.

“There are a lot of variables involved in a project of this scale, so we welcomed the service and expertise that Kennards Hire was able to provide us,” Theo said.

“The size of the compound, the short timeframes, having several installation sites and many workers involved, required a lot of coordination. We have a dedicated Kennards Hire Project Manager who is our single point of contact and is regularly on site and very responsive.

Building a Clean Energy Future

The Goorambat East Solar Farm is more than just a renewable energy project; it’s proof of what’s possible when sustainability and innovation come together. With Kennards Hire’s tailored support and commitment to the project’s goals, Bouygues Construction has been empowered to deliver one of the most significant renewable energy developments in Victoria. When it goes online in 2027, the solar farm will not only power homes but also serve as a testament to how teamwork and sustainable practices can drive a brighter, cleaner future.

‘The Kennards Hire Project Manager is a real problem solver for us, able to fix any issues we have on site, or simply to modify things to meet changing needs of the project. Kennards Hire was flexible and adaptable and able to manage a lot of things at once for us.– Theo Manni, Bouygues Construction Australia Engineer