The Yadnarie Solar Thermal Project brings Australian innovation and world-leading technology to the next generation of renewable energy generation and long-duration electricity storage.

In partnership with Photon Energy and RayGen Resources, MasterPlan has provided strategic planning and approvals advice for the proposed renewable energy facility at Yadnarie, near Cleve on the Eyre Peninsula.

At the heart of the project is RayGen’s proprietary PV Ultra technology, combining solar generation with electro-thermal energy storage to deliver reliable, dispatchable electricity to the South Australian grid—day and night, when it is needed. The technology represents an important step towards a more reliable and resilient renewable energy future.

The project was declared essential infrastructure and sponsored by the Department for Energy and Mining as a Crown development, with assessment undertaken under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. Development authorisation was secured in June 2025.

MasterPlan was the lead strategic approvals advisor, coordinating a multidisciplinary team of technical specialists across engineering, ecology, traffic, visual amenity, aviation and acoustics.

Our role included:

• Strategic land use planning and development assessment advice
• Project management and coordination of technical consultants
• Community consultation and stakeholder engagement
• Coordination, collation and lodgement of the development application
• Strategic advice throughout the approvals process

The successful authorisation demonstrates MasterPlan’s deep expertise in navigating complex renewable energy approvals and delivering innovative energy projects in South Australia.

MasterPlan is proud to partner with Photon Energy and RayGen Resources in bringing this pioneering energy storage technology one step closer to powering South Australia’s renewable energy future.