State Approval for 90MW Solar Farm with 4-Hour Battery
A 90-megawatt solar farm, along with a four-hour big battery, has received approval for construction in the Richmond Valley in northern New South Wales. The state development approval was announced by Paul Scully, the state minister for planning, for the $312 million Summerville solar farm project. This initiative, led by OX2, is situated approximately 60 km southwest of Lismore.
The project includes a 90 MW, 360-megawatt hour (MWh) battery energy storage system and will have a short underground connection to the existing 132 kV Lismore to Koolkhan overhead line. Scully highlighted that the approval comes with stringent conditions, such as a 10-metre fire safety perimeter and measures to address any potential impacts on traffic and the environment.
As part of the approval, the proponent has committed to providing around $3.1 million to the Richmond Valley Council for infrastructure development and community benefits. Scully emphasised the significance of this project in advancing the electricity network upgrade in NSW to deliver cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy for the residents.
The Summerville Solar Farm is expected to not only generate clean energy but also boost the economy of the Northern Rivers region by creating job opportunities during both the construction and operational phases.
While the project has secured state approval, it is still undergoing a comprehensive federal environmental assessment under the EPBC Act. The site of the solar farm and battery has a history of significant land clearing for agriculture, with its primary current land use being cattle grazing.
OX2 is also in the process of developing another solar farm and battery project in collaboration with Idemitsu Australia on land adjacent to the Muswellbrook Coal Mine, predominantly owned by Idemitsu, the mine operator.
The decision on whether to approve this additional project, also under assessment through the EPBC Act, has been referred to the NSW Independent Planning Commission. This move came after receiving over 50 unique submissions opposing the development.
