CWP moves forward with 600MW solar farm in Angus Taylor’s electorate

Plans to build a 600MW solar farm in south-eastern New South Wales have been lodged with NSW Planning and Environment, as part of the $600 million project’s preliminary environmental assessment.

The Goulburn Post last week reported that CWP Renewables had outlined plans to develop the proposed solar and storage project about 15 kilometres south-west of Goulburn.

The Parkesbourne Solar Farm is proposed for a 2000 hectare site that is bisected by the Hume Highway. CWP said the spot was well suited to solar generation due to its flat terrain, low density of rural residential dwellings and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure.

It also happens to be in the Hume electorate of our new federal energy minister, Angus Taylor, who is an outspoken critic of wind farms. Just as well he is a fan of solar.

The proposed project would create 300 jobs during construction, and once completed, provide 25 ongoing operational positions, the company said.

Project manager Matthew Flower said that Parkesbourne – if approved – could be among the largest solar farms in Australia, although probably not for long.

“We are looking at producing up to 600MW power with this and right now there are no other 600MW solar farms in Australia,” Mr Flower said.

“That is not to say it will be the largest by the time of possible approval because this area is expanding so rapidly, but it is certainly a major project.

“Our application comes off the back of early engagement with potential hosts, neighbouring landowners and the wider community,” he said.

“These discussions have shaped the project, which will continue as we work through the permitting process.”

CWP has been busy in Australia lately, developing a 1300MW portfolio of wind, solar and batteries, with investment backing from Partners Group.

As we reported here, this so-called Grassroots Renewable Energy Platform includes the 230MW Sapphire solar farm and 70MWh battery storage, which will combine with the 270MW Sapphire wind farm near Glenn Innes.

It also includes the 140MW Bango wind project, the Glen Ellen and Sundown solar projects, and the massive Uungula wind and solar project that will total 400MW of capacity, along with other storage.

An Environmental Impact Statement on the Parkesbourne Solar Farm will be on public exhibition before year’s end.