Massive New England solar-battery hybrid project gains grid connection approval

Global renewable energy developer Recurrent Energy has landed a grid connection approval for a massive solar-battery hybrid project in New South Wales’ (NSW) biggest renewable energy zone. 

The Sundown project in the New England REZ is made up of a 360 megawatt (MW) solar project and a 150 MW, four hour battery.

“Recurrent Energy Australia has successfully secured Grid Connection Approval for Sundown Energy Park under clause 5.3.4 of the National Electricity Rules, marking a key milestone in one of the country’s most significant hybrid renewable projects,” the developer, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, said on LinkedIn. 

The project entered the NSW planning process eight years ago, according to Renewmap, but still has a way to go before it escapes the state development bureaucracy.

The project is located under the 300 kilovolt (kV) transmission line heading north from Armidale, and inside the development corridor for the 500 kV QNI Connect line.

But it scored 134 objections from 144 total submissions during the public consultation period, meaning it will need to seek further approval from the state’s Independent Planning Commission. 

Of the 133 community objections, 58 per cent were from people living more than 100km away. 

Recurrent’s analysis of the total submissions showed 34 came from the neighbouring town of Inverell, of which the majority were opposed. The most common concern was the impact on traffic, followed by the consequences for agriculture. 

The project is being set up to allow sheep to graze under the solar arrays, with the plans specifically name checking the guidelines laid out in the Agrivoltaics Handbook: A guide for solar developers and landholders early last year and saying the project will be build to ensure sheep safety.

The New England REZ has attracted some of the most fervent opposition from locals of those proposed by the state.

With an intended network capacity of 8 gigawatts (GW), it’s the biggest but captured the electorate of local anti-renewables politician Barnaby Joyce — whose country home sits just outside it.

Community angst over how they’re being spoken to by EnergyCo, the state entity handling the REZ rollout, around transmission has further inflamed existing anxieties and anger.

And yet it isn’t all hate for the overarching project in the area. The 730 megawatt (MW) Winterbourne wind project to the south of Armidale, and Joyce’s bane, actually secured more submissions for it than against.

If you would like to join more than 29,000 others and get the latest clean energy news delivered straight to your inbox, for free, please click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter.

If you wish to support independent media, and accurate information, please consider making a one off donation or becoming a regular supporter of Renew Economy. Please click here. Your support is invaluable.