Federal government approves Queensland solar and battery hybrid project in just 19 days

The federal government says it has approved the 300-megawatt (MW) Dunmore Solar Farm and co-located battery energy storage system (BESS), taking only 19 days to move through the government’s environmental assessment queue.

Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia submitted plans for its Dunmore Solar farm and BESS, about 250 kms to the west of Brisbane, to the federal government towards the end of September, seeking approval through Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

The project, which will consist of a 300 MW solar farm co-located with a 2-hour duration 150 MW/300 MWh battery, will connect to an existing 330kV network located next to the site and be built on previously cleared land.

In addition to the solar farm and battery, a substation is one of the only other components that needs to be built.

“This approval shows how good site selection unlocks rapid approvals for critical renewable projects like this,” said Murray Watt, federal minister for environment and water.

“Not only will this project power Australia’s renewable transition by delivering cheap, green and clean power, but it will also unlock 350 jobs in regional Queensland during construction.  

“By selecting a good site near existing transmission lines, the proponent helped this project speed through the approvals process, unlocking our green future.

“While the Coalition continue to debate whether climate change is real, their own communities are getting on with the transition to cheaper, cleaner energy.”

The project will likely depend, however, on gaining off-take agreements and reaching financial close. The project has already received state government approval, but the new LNP government has moved to rip up the state’s renewable targets and models no new wind or solar projects beyond those already contracted.

The Dunmore solar and battery project is one of several Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia is developing. 

This was followed up late last month with an EPBC referral for a 200 MW battery project south of Townsville, Queensland.

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