Five NSW large-scale solar photovoltaic plants have been chosen as part of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) multi-million dollar large-scale solar round, announced September 8.
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The NSW plants are in addition to six in Queensland and one in WA that are set to to increase the amount of energy produced from big solar in Australia. “It’s a major milestone that’s expected to triple Australia’s large-scale solar capacity from 240 MW to 720 MW,” ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht said.
Of the total $92 million funding, $35m will go to regional NSW and contribute to 10 per cent of total costs of all NSW solar-farm projects.
At the Manildra Solar Farm, owner and operator Infigen is collaborating with First Solar to develop the 42.5 MW plant, which received $11m. “The project would not only support local businesses but also provide significant economic and environmental benefits, as well as create jobs and develop skills in a growing industry,” said spokesman Richard Farrell. The plant will occupy an area of about 120 hectares and generate enough renewable energy to power up to 10,000 homes.
All three Neoen Australia-owned solar farms in Parkes, Griffith and Dubbo received collective funding of $18m. The development of Neoen’s three solar farms started in 2013 and each achieved development approvals by June 2016. All three projects are now expected to start construction in Q1 2017.
The ARENA funding comes two weeks after the ACT government announced Neoen’s third success in the ACT reverse wind auctions with the 315 MW Hornsdale Wind Farm.
“Neoen is thrilled to deploy the Parkes Solar Farm, Griffith Solar Farm and Dubbo Solar Hub, and acknowledges the precious role that ARENA has played in making this possible,” said managing director of Neoen Australia, Frank Woitiez. “With supportive federal policy and mechanisms similar to the ARENA tender, we believe Neoen will continue to deliver jobs, and make renewable energy a competitive and sustainable source of electricity in Australia”, he said.
Goldwind Australia’s White Rock Solar Farm in Glen Innes is the fifth NSW solar plant to be selected: it will receive $6m for its 20 MW AC site.
The 12 national projects were selected from 77 solar farm proposals submitted to ARENA as part of the competitive round. All 12 plants are expected to power 150,000 average Australian homes and meet the 10pc of the capacity build needed to meet the 2020 Renewable Energy Target (RET) Scheme
They are expected to also unlock almost $1 billion of commercial investment and boost regional Australian economies.
