Giant solar and battery project proposed for Tasmania’s central highlands by local farming families

A giant solar and battery project has been proposed for Tasmania’s central highlands region, by local farming families and a company already involved in several large scale wind projects in the region.

The Weasel solar project near the small locality of Hermitage – along the Highland-Lakes Road – would comprise a 250 megawatt (MW) solar facility with a 144 MW, 576 MWh big battery to store excess solar generation.

The project is being put forward by local landowners – the Downie family from Dungrove and the Bowden family from Weasel Plains – who are working in partnership with Andrew Clark from Alternate Path, which is also leading the development of the proposed 350 MW Cellars Hill wind project on the opposite side of the same road.

That project also envisages a massive 600 MW, 2,400 MWh battery, and is part of proposals by Clark to encourage an industrial precinct in the region, focusing on potential data centres and even alternative fuel production.

See: Landowner-designed wind farm and huge battery in Tasmania snags major project status

The Weasel solar project website says it will be Australia’s “most southern solar farm”, but notes that summer daylight hours extend longer than in northern areas, and during peak usage hours nationally.​ It is further south than the 288 MW Connorville solar farm currently under construction near Cressy.

The project is being built on grazing land, and will continue to host sheep grazing. “The goal is to create a mutually beneficial relationship that supports both farming and energy production,” the project’s application for EPBC approval says.

“There is increasing research across Australia and internationally on the benefits of Agrisolar.” It says these benefits including grass management, reducing emissions, efficient land use, shade for the sheep, and reduced evaporation.

The EPBC application describes the major landowner as a “local, multi generation Tasmanian farming family”, and says other land within the project is owned by private landowners and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

“The proponent has a long history in the Central Highlands region and have been grazing sheep and cattle on their farm for over 150 years. More recently, the family has engaged in the development of renewable energy facilities within the Central Highlands region, including the Cattle Hill Wind Farm and the Cellars Hill Wind Farm.”