Solar Farm and Battery Project Approved with Enhanced Setbacks to Protect Sheep Grazing

Approval Granted for Glanmire Solar Farm and Battery Storage Project near Bathurst

A solar farm and battery storage project, known as the Glanmire solar farm, has received planning approval for its development just outside the city of Bathurst in New South Wales (NSW). The project, proposed by UK developer Elgin Energy, will consist of a 60 MW solar facility and a 60 MW battery with 120 MWh of storage capacity. The solar farm will be located on rural land in the Central West Orana renewable energy zone, around 10 kilometers east of Bathurst.

The approval was granted by the NSW Independent Planning Commission after considering 131 letters of objection and only six letters of support. To address concerns raised by the objections, the developers agreed to increase the set-backs from the boundaries of the site and ensure the preservation of the land for current and future farming activities, including sheep grazing.

Some of the objections raised included concerns about foggy weather, the impact on agricultural land, insurance premiums, foreign ownership, and the risk of fire. Other concerns included the potential for “heat islands,” stress, noise, visual impact on tourists, the view from the nearby Mt Panorama race track, and glare on the local airfield.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment had previously approved the project in November, but the case was reviewed by the Independent Planning Commission due to the number of objections received. The Commission determined that the site is suitable for renewable energy development based on factors such as topography, solar resources, access to road and electricity transmission networks, and minimal environmental constraints.

The approval comes with several conditions, including a revised layout plan with increased minimum setbacks, the establishment of a vegetation buffer, and the maintenance of the site’s agricultural land capability. The developers are also required to engage with the local council and community during construction and operation and to fully rehabilitate the site at the end of the project.

Elgin Energy, which was founded in the UK in 2009 and opened an Australian office in 2018, is currently developing over 1,000 MW of solar and battery projects in Victoria and NSW. The company has already delivered 250 MW of solar PV projects in the UK, Ireland, and the US.

This approval adds to the recent surge in project approvals in the region, including the Glenellen and Oxley solar farms.

Giles Parkinson, founder and editor of Renew Economy, commented on the approval. Parkinson has been a journalist for 40 years and has extensive experience in the energy sector.