Frontier Energy Breaks Ground on WA’s Largest Solar-Battery Project Targeting 2028
Key Takeaways
- Mobilisation has commenced at Frontier Energy's Waroona Renewable Energy Project, marking the transition from pre-development to active construction on WA's largest solar-battery project.
- Stage One comprises a 132MW solar facility paired with an 81.5MW / 6.9-hour BESS — a scale that enables high-value evening peak dispatch on the South West Interconnected System.
- Stage One is fully funded, with a clear construction timeline running from site establishment now through to first generation targeted in 2028.
- EPC contractor Monford Group and Owner's Engineer Aurecon are both on site, with a dual-layer governance structure providing independent technical oversight throughout the build.
- The Owner's Team brings direct experience across comparable projects including the 260MWdc Glenellen Solar Farm and the 128MW Cunderdin Solar Farm with 55MW/220MWh BESS.
Construction begins at WA’s largest solar-battery project
Mobilisation to site has commenced at Frontier Energy’s Waroona Renewable Energy Project in Western Australia, marking the transition from several years of development to active construction. Stage One comprises a 132MW solar facility paired with an 81.5MW / 6.9-hour battery energy storage system (BESS), making it a flagship-scale renewable energy project on the state’s main grid.
This milestone follows an extensive pre-development period and signals the start of continuous, ongoing work at the Waroona site over the next two years. Stage One is fully funded, with first generation targeted in 2028.
Jamie Cullen, Executive Chairman
“After extensive pre-development work, mobilisation to site of our Owner’s Team and Monford, our EPC contractor, is a significant milestone for the Waroona project, with site works having now commenced.”
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Construction schedule and key milestones
The project is following a phased delivery plan that gives investors clear visibility on the execution trajectory from site establishment through to first power.
- September 2026 (now): Site establishment, earthworks, drainage, and access road preparation underway
- October 2026: Detailed earthworks for internal access tracks commence
- December 2026: Solar array piling commences
- February 2027: First trackers and solar panels installed
- 1H 2027: Peak workforce of approximately 200 personnel on site
- 2028: First generation targeted
Construction will run 7 days per week on a drive-in drive-out (DIDO) basis throughout the build period.
The current mobilisation phase spans four key workstreams: site establishment and facility set-up; construction preparation including access roads and laydown areas; safety and environmental readiness through workforce inductions and management plan implementation; and contractor and supply chain coordination to finalise schedules, logistics, and reporting systems ahead of major works.
EPC contractor Monford Group was selected following an early contractor involvement process, which Frontier Executive Chairman Jamie Cullen described as providing “a sound foundation for delivery.” That collaborative pre-development relationship underpins the working structure now transitioning into full construction.
What a utility-scale solar-battery project means for investors
A solar farm paired with a battery energy storage system (BESS) does more than generate electricity. The solar array captures energy during daylight hours, while the BESS stores that energy and dispatches it into the grid during the evening peak, when demand and electricity prices are typically at their highest. For a project like Waroona, with a 6.9-hour storage duration, that means meaningful capacity to capture high-value dispatch windows.
The South West Interconnected System (SWIS) is Western Australia’s main electricity grid, serving Perth and the broader south-west region. It is currently undergoing a significant energy transition, with new large-scale renewable capacity required to replace ageing thermal generation and meet growing demand.
Two terms worth understanding for following this project’s progress:
EPC contractor stands for Engineering, Procurement and Construction. An EPC contractor takes on responsibility for delivering the full project under a single contract, which concentrates execution risk and simplifies accountability compared to managing multiple separate contracts.
Owner’s Engineer refers to an independent technical adviser engaged by the project owner, separate from the EPC contractor. In this case, Aurecon fills that role, providing technical review and quality oversight that operates independently of Monford. This dual-layer governance structure is considered best practice for utility-scale projects, because it gives the owner an independent check on design and compliance throughout construction.
The team behind the build
Frontier has assembled a purpose-built Owner’s Team to provide direct oversight of EPC workstreams, safety, environmental compliance, and commissioning activities across Stage One.
| Role | Name | Key Experience | Relevant Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Operating Officer | Lee Illingworth | 25+ years in energy and infrastructure; senior roles at Pacific Energy and Mineral Resources | 260MWdc Glenellen Solar Farm; Esperance Energy Solution (gas, wind, solar, BESS) |
| Construction Manager | Brian Rafferty | Extensive solar and BESS construction management, contractor coordination, and program delivery | 128MW Cunderdin Solar Farm + 55MW/220MWh BESS; 260MW Glenellen Solar Farm |
| Safety Manager | Jon Lloyd | HSE systems, contractor safety assurance, critical-risk management across complex remote-site environments | 165MW Solomon Power Station; 34MW Carosue Hybrid Power System |
| Community, Environment and Cultural Heritage Consultant | Stephen Morgan | Indigenous engagement, environmental approvals, resources-sector operations | Two years engaging Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation and Shire of Waroona for Stage One approvals |
Aurecon has been engaged as Owner’s Engineer, providing independent technical review of EPC contractor design and monitoring quality and technical compliance throughout the construction phase.
The collective depth of this team spans some of Australia’s most complex renewable energy builds. For investors, that track record across comparable projects at similar or larger scale is a meaningful indicator of execution confidence as the project moves into its most intensive construction phase.
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What comes next for Frontier Energy
The path from here to first power follows a clear sequence of milestones:
- Major earthworks commencing October 2026
- Solar array piling commencing December 2026
- First trackers and panels installed from February 2027
- Workforce peaking at approximately 200 personnel on site during 1H 2027
- First generation targeted 2028
Frontier’s broader strategy is to develop, own and operate long-life renewable energy assets that generate contracted cash flows on the SWIS. Beyond Stage One, the Company is assessing expansion opportunities that leverage its landholding, transmission access, and strategic location to potentially support large energy users and power-intensive industries, though no further details on those opportunities have been disclosed at this stage.
The Company has committed to providing regular construction updates as the project progresses.
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