Tasmania renewable start-up plans state’s biggest solar farm and 3.5GW of offshore wind

A $500 million solar farm has been flagged as the first project from a new Tasmanian renewables company called TasRex, which has been launched with ambitious plans to build a 5GW portfolio of onshore and offshore renewable projects.

The company made its official launch at the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone on Thursday, and is headed by  Bess Clark, the former CEO of the Marinus Link project, the now controversial new sub-sea link from Tasmania to the mainland.

TasRex is chaired by local businesswoman Penelope Reed and was co-founded by Peter Downie, a developer of the Cattle Hill wind farm in Tasmania and leading ammonia expert, John Mott, who has his eye on green ammonia and methanol projects in north west Tasmania and Bell Bay.

The first project for the new company will be the 288MW Northern Midlands solar farm, to be built on the 200-year Connorville farming property near Launceston, which will also include battery storage and is currently in the planning phase.

Clark told reporters at the Bell Bay event that the company planned to build up 5GW of onshore and offshore projects over the medium term, and has its eye on 3.5GW of offshore wind.

The company is particularly interested in the potential of offshore wind in the Bass Strait, pending the declaration of a new zone by the federal government, and signed a memorandum of understanding signed between the company and Tasmanian government in April.

TasRex says it is  working with specialist marine engineering firm CoreMarine (Norway-based, but with Australian operations in Hobart) on pre-feasibility work for offshore wind development off the North-East and North West coasts of Tasmania.

“Wonderful to launch TasRex Pty Ltd and our MOU with the Tasmanian government today at Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone,” Clark later posted on LinkedIn.

“Tasmania is a leader in renewable energy; we look forward to building on this legacy to create a cleaner future and prosperous Tasmania for generations to come.”

Tasmania already sources it’s energy from 100% renewables, so the addition of major new projects is part of the Tasmanian government’s aim to produce renewable ammonia and hydrogen, as well as export more power to Victoria, via the Marinus Link.

“The Rockliff Liberal government is committed to increasing our renewable energy production. We are the renewables powerhouse of Australia and we intend to remain there, and projects by local companies like TasRex can help us to achieve this vision,” said Tasmania’s minister for energy, Nick Duigan.

“The state needs more renewable electricity to meet the demand of our growing economy and future industries, to ensure our energy security, to keep power prices low, and continue our zero emissions status.”