Ark progresses plan for solar farm next to world’s largest eight-hour battery

Plans for a 500MW solar farm, proposed for construction alongside a massive eight-hour big battery in the New South Wales Northern Rivers region, are being jointly assessed by the federal and state governments after being referred for approval under the EPBC Act.

Developer Ark Energy said this week it is working to update the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Richmond Valley Solar Farm, to meet the additional federal environmental requirements.

Ark, a subsidiary of Korea Zinc, plans to build the 500MW solar project next to the Richmond Valley BESS, one of two eight-hour battery energy storage projects selected for development in the recent NSW tender.

The lithium-iron phoshate battery, sized at 275MW with 2,200MWh of storage, would be the largest battery in Australia if completed now and quite possibly the largest eight hour lithium battery project in the world.

As RenewEconomy has reported, it will trump Akaysha’s Waratah Super Battery and the Orana battery in NSW, and Synergy’s 2,000 MWh Collie battery in W.A as the biggest in the country when completed and will likely cost in the region of $1.3 billion.

The site for both projects is near Myrtle Creek, about 25km south of Casino.

“In October 2023 the [solar farm] proposal was referred to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for review under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act),” a project update said this week.

“DCCEEW determined the proposal to be a controlled action, which means it will also require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act.”

The update says the project team has been progressing the various studies and technical assessments required for the EIS, and has refined and modified the solar farm’s design.

“In consultation with specialists for biodiversity, flooding, visual impact and bushfire prevention, the development footprint is currently approximately 804 hectares, and avoids all environmentally sensitive areas.”

The site for the proposed Richmond Valley Solar Farm is near Myrtle Creek, about 25km south of Casino – a location Ark says is well suited for utility-scale PV generation, with “an excellent solar resource… already disturbed
land” and relatively flat terrain.

The site is also close to the existing transmission network, with the Coffs Harbour to Lismore 330 kV power line running through the north-west corner.

A community information session for the solar and battery project is being held in Ellangowan next month, with information on topics of interest made available and selected technical specialist consultants in attendance to answer questions. Time: 4-6pm, Wednesday 7 February 2024 Location: Ellangowan Community Hall.