THE developer of the Kiamal Solar Farm near Ouyen expects a lead contractor to “implement the right solutions” after it was revealed workers and Mallee businesses faced waits for payments.
Total Eren issued a statement to Sunraysia Daily late on Friday that said the company was aware of ongoing discussions between lead contractor Biosar Australia and subcontractors.
The statement said Total Eren believed its engineering, procurement and construction partner was handling the situation.
“We have expressed to Biosar that we were expecting them to implement the right solutions,” it said.
“As a group policy, we are committed to fulfil our obligations vis-a-vis all our suppliers and contractors and have therefore obviously met all our payment obligations on time to Biosar.
“We remain fully committed to the Kiamal solar project, which we believe will contribute to a more sustainable environment in Australia.”
A Sunraysia Daily investigation revealed two subcontractors on the project had entered insolvency procedures.
Administrators for Rusca Bros. Services Pty Ltd identified 26 Mallee businesses as creditors that were owed a combined $290,920.98, while finding more than $1 million in employee entitlements was also owed.
The administrator’s report claimed Biosar was “regularly late” in making payments to Rusca Bros. Services Pty Ltd.
Biosar has not responded to requests for comment.
