The 72MW Tolo 1 wind farm, the largest renewable energy independent power producer in Asia-Pacific located in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, has achieved financial close. Developed by Equis Energy, Mott MacDonald was technical, environmental and social advisor to the Asian Development Bank during the project’s financing stage and will now provide construction and operations monitoring services in an ongoing role.
The Tolo 1 wind farm will utilise Siemens SWT-3.6-130 wind turbine generators, while an on-site substation will boost the voltage of the electricity generated by the scheme from 33kV to 150kV via dual transformers. Power will be transported to the grid connection point at Perusahaan Listrik Negara’s existing Jeneponto substation via a 3.5 km overhead transmission line. Once operational, it is anticipated that the wind farm will produce enough energy to power approximately 149,000 households.
Mott MacDonald’s due diligence pre-financial close included reviewing the track record of each project participant, the project schedule and contractual arrangements, construction and operational plans, grid integration study and energy yield assessment. The consultancy also reviewed environmental and social impact assessments and analysed how the corresponding plans would feed into the financial model.
Robin Ingram, Mott MacDonald’s project manager, said: “The Tolo 1 wind farm is one of two independent power producer-led wind farms currently under construction in Indonesia. We’ve advised the lenders on both schemes, which has helped us gain a greater understanding of the country’s market and the challenges that come with it for project implementation. Tolo 1 reaching financial close is another major milestone for Indonesia’s wind industry and aligns with the country’s ambitious plans for greater renewable energy integration going forward.”
Construction of the Tolo 1 wind farm is expected to be complete and the project become operational in the first half of 2018.