This report details the number of early works activities required to enable site mobilisation and facilitate the commencement of construction at the Nyngan Solar Plant site.
Report extract
A number of early works activities were required to enable site mobilisation and facilitate the commencement of construction at the Nyngan Solar Plant site. These activities included upgrades to the site access turnoff and access road, initial earthworks, and construction of a temporary water supply for dust suppression. Key lessons learned included:
- Site access – Construction of a solar plant involves a steady number of vehicle movements to provide delivery of equipment, materials, and labour to the site. It is critical to define the requirements for upgrade of the site access turnoff, as well as the methodology for construction of site access roads, taking into account the number and type of vehicles and seasonal weather patterns.
- Earthworks – The Nyngan project site is extremely flat, and heavy rains which occurred during grading of the site access road and the substation bench area seriously impacted the early grading activities, rendering certain areas inaccessible for a period of weeks and causing delays to the project schedule.
- Water supply – A temporary water supply was required to provide water for dust suppression during construction. AGL and First Solar explored a number of possible options for the water supply, but delays to implementing a preferred solution led to adverse cost outcomes and unnecessary distractions to project execution.