Global solar tracker system company FTC Solar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a group of Australian steel manufacturers and suppliers to explore opportunities to strengthen the local supply chain for utility-scale solar projects.
The MoU brings together FTC Solar with Surdex Steel, part of Southern Steel Group; GB Galvanizing; Australian Rollforming; and Roman Steel.
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The agreement is part of FTC Solar’s commitment to support local manufacturing and renewables as it expands its presence in the Australian market.
In September, the company announced that it had commenced shipments for the 330MW Fraser Coast solar project in Queensland and had received notice to begin production for the 82MW Sybella Creek Solar Farm near Mount Isa.
Under the MoU framework, the participants intend to explore potential collaboration on the supply of Australian-fabricated steel products and associated structural components for large-scale solar projects across Australia.
The collaboration is intended to support Australian manufacturing, local-content objectives, and supply-chain development, while exploring opportunities to deliver competitively priced steel products for renewable energy infrastructure.
Potential opportunities include projects associated with the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET), the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS), Renewable Energy Zones (REZs), and other large-scale solar developments across Australia.
FTC Solar CEO Anthony Caroll said, “Australia is a strategically important market for FTC Solar, and we see a strong opportunity to support local manufacturing as utility-scale solar continues to grow.
“This MoU is an important step in exploring how more Australian-made steel and structural components can be incorporated into our projects, while maintaining the quality, performance and competitiveness our customers expect.”
Surdex Steel general manager Adrian Kwok said, “At Surdex Steel, we view this MoU as a vote of confidence from FTC that we can deliver on these megaprojects.
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“It is a credit to FTC for identifying steel supply as critical, and for engaging Surdex Steel as an important part of the supply chain to ensure the project is delivered successfully.”
