Plibersek Rejects Solar Project in Gas Field
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has declined to grant federal environmental approval for the proposed Kumbarilla renewable energy park, a 100-megawatt solar farm in south-west Queensland. The project, planned by Elecseed and Komipo, was intended to be situated amidst coal seam gas fields and adjacent to a significant gas production facility owned by Shell QGC.
The site, located 40 kilometres west of Dalby in the Surat basin, was also set to accommodate a green hydrogen production facility and potentially expand the solar farm to 200 MW with an 80 MW electrolyser facility.
Environmental Concerns
The developers highlighted that Kumbarilla would be surrounded by gas fields and processing plants, including the Shell QGC Ruby Jo gas facility. However, Minister Plibersek cited the project’s adverse effects on threatened species and communities as the reason for refusal.
Plibersek emphasised that the solar farm would have had detrimental impacts on water sources, woodland vegetation, and wildlife, particularly koalas. She stressed the importance of renewable energy projects complying with national environmental laws to ensure responsible development.
Previous Approvals and Rejections
The developers noted that the solar site fell within existing Petroleum leases and highlighted previous approvals for coal seam gas developments in the area. This rejection marks the second significant renewable energy project declined recently, following the withdrawal of the Wooroora wind project in north Queensland.
The Kumbarilla solar project, located in an area already hosting large solar projects, was seen as a substantial endeavour due to the involvement of a Korean state-owned generation company, as noted by Daniel Kim from Trade and Investment Queensland.
Plibersek reaffirmed the federal Labor government’s commitment to renewable energy, with an 82% target. She highlighted the approval of numerous renewable energy projects under her tenure, including a substantial 800 MW solar project in Queensland.
