July 2025 marks a major milestone for Stanwell Asset Maintenance Company (SAMCo), as we celebrate one year of operating and maintaining the Collinsville Solar Farm in partnership with RATCH Australia Corporation (RAC). 

Located 90km south-west of Bowen, the Collinsville Solar Farm features approximately 180,000 solar panels and generates enough clean electricity each year to power up to 15,000 homes.  

SAMCo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Stanwell Corporation, one of the most experienced and reliable operators in the National Electricity Market. Created to bring Stanwell’s proven expertise in asset maintenance to the renewable energy sector, SAMCo provides end-to-end operations and maintenance (O&M) services for wind, solar, battery and other clean energy assets across Queensland and beyond. 

SAMCo’s partnership with RAC – a five-year agreement to deliver O&M services – was our first solar generation maintenance contract following our launch in November 2023.   

Our team manages everything from electrical operations and inspections to inverter and high-voltage system maintenance, panel cleaning, weed control and fire break upkeep. The partnership has also created two permanent roles on site, supported placements through our Development Pathways Program, and generated subcontracting opportunities for local businesses.  

We’ve prioritised local procurement wherever possible, helping ensure the benefits of the project are felt throughout the community. 

Over the past year, the site has delivered outstanding performance results, achieving a contractual availability of 99.95% and generating over 71,819 MWh of energy.  

We have also successfully implemented our principal safe work system, ePAS, which drives rigorous safety planning and risk management through a digitally integrated workflow. 

“Rolling out ePAS at a remote solar farm like Collinsville shows just how scalable and adaptable our safety systems are,” says Site Lead Ian Nelson. “It’s all about keeping our people safe and giving our clients peace of mind.” 

That culture of safety and ownership was shaped from the start by former Site Lead Colin Draper, whose leadership helped lay the foundations for the site’s success. “Stanwell’s values of ‘we care, we adapt, we deliver’ have been integral in building the culture at Collinsville and SAMCo as a whole,” Colin says. 

This strong foundation has supported other achievements too, including a strong third-party health, safety and environment audit result and successful integration of the site’s SCADA systems, while our travelling technicians – including Dayne Huggins and brothers Kye and Nat Mills – continue to uphold high standards of professionalism and collaboration. 

Our clients have taken notice of our technician's high standards. “SAMCO has been a good partner of RAC,” says RAC Chief Operating Officer James Lee, “and we hope to build on this relationship in the future.”  

Peter Sprott from RAC described SAMCo as “a pleasure to work with,” while Graduate Asset Engineer, Ryan Gardner says the team is “passionate, professional and helpful.” 

“Personally, as a younger engineer,” Ryan added, “SAMCo’s willingness to offer knowledge and assistance has been a great reflection on service.” 

Our commitment to community has also been on show in Collinsville. One of our Trade Assistants, Frank Creighton, raised funds for local childcare centre Little Diggers by collecting bottles and cans. SAMCo and RAC were proud to contribute an additional $2,000 to support his efforts.  

We also recently hosted a visit from the Collinsville Fire and Rescue team, strengthening ties with local emergency services and ensuring shared preparedness ahead of the summer season. 

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together so far, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with RATCH Australia Corporation to deliver safe, reliable performance at Collinsville Solar Farm – and beyond. 

Here’s to another successful year ahead!