The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission has given the green light to the development of Neoen Australia's $636 million Culcairn Solar Farm in the Riverina region.
The proposed renewable energy project will comprise of a 350MW solar farm and a 100MW / 200MWh battery storage system.
The approval for development is subject to conditions that include plans to prevent or minimise environmental impacts of the project; plans for decommissioning and rehabilitation of the site; regular monitoring and reporting; and provision of ongoing environmental management.
The Culcairn Solar Farm is expected to support up to 350 direct and 1,546 indirect jobs during its construction phase as well as 6 direct and 113 indirect operational jobs.
In a statement, Neoen said: “Neoen will be continuing its engagement with a focus on maximising local participation opportunities and developing the community benefit-sharing scheme. Neoen are committed to sharing the benefits of our projects with the surrounding communities and expect the scheme to deliver $10 million in benefits over the lifetime of the Culcairn Solar Farm. The scheme will include three elements – construction disruption payments, a Community Benefit Fund and a voluntary contribution to the Great Hume Shire Council.”
Project location (source: Culcairn Solar Farm)
The project is going to be built in the south east Riverina region, approximately 4 kilometres south west of Culcairn, 45 kilometres north of Albury and 70 kilometres south of Wagga Wagga.
Once up and running, the Culcairn Solar Farm is expected to produce about 800,000MWh of renewable energy a year – enough to power up to 155,000 homes.
Early works on the project are anticipated to commence towards the end of this year, with hiring for workers and suppliers to begin soon. For the list of available work opportunities, visit the project website here.
Source: Culcairn Solar Farm (1, 2); Renew Economy; NSW Government – Independent Planning Commission; Renewables Now
The Queensland Government is investing approximately $40 million towards the delivery of transmission line upgrades in Far North Queensland which will support the development of the 157MW Kaban Wind Farm.
Another massive renewable energy project is set to be built in South Australia as the State Government grants planning approval to Neoen Australia’s proposed $3 billion Goyder South project.
The Queensland Government has given development approval to an 800MW wind farm at Clarke Creek, approximately 150 kilometres north west of Rockhampton and 150 kilometres south of Mackay. The massive wind farm is set to become Australia’s largest.
If you're looking to contact us about other matters, please contact us.