Energy Safe Victoria has ordered the state’s ninth largest solar farm to cease generating power, following a fire at the northern Victoria site.
On December 8, the operator of the Cohuna Solar Farm at Horfield was directed to disconnect equipment after a three-to-four hectare grassfire at the site in November.
Energy Safe chief executive officer Leanne Hughson said initial investigations into the fire raised concerns about specific equipment used at the solar farm.
“The operation of modern solar farms is generally safe but on the rare occasion we see a fault with specific equipment we will investigate,” Ms Hughson said.
Cohuna Solar Farm cannot be powered up again until the operator carries out inspections and implements interim safety measures.
The operator is working to find a permanent solution to help ensure the issue does not happen again, while also working closely with Energy Safe to comply with the current direction.