One of New South Wales’ biggest solar projects is moving towards clearing major hurdles towards development as the state’s large scale solar pipeline continues to take shape.
The proposed Wollar Solar Farm has already deemed a State Significant Development by the NSW Government, and is located approximately 7km south of Wollar Village and 38km southwest of Mudgee. It’s smack-bang in the centre of NSW coal country.
Wollar project developers seek to install 1,000,000 solar panels over approximately 800 hectares. The project expected to reach a generating capacity of 400 MW (although the project’s EIS puts the proposed generating capacity at 290 MW), enough to power 144,726 homes.
The Wollar project intends to integrate the PV with 30 MWh of lithium ion battery storage, sufficient for what developers describe as “on-demand energy day and night”.
Developer Wollar Solar Development Pty Ltd. (WSD) chose the site not just for its abundant sunshine, easy terrain and low environmental and community impact, but significantly for its proximity (900m) from access to the Transgrid transmission network.
If approved, construction on the project should take around 12-18 months, involving 500 workers and as an operational site require five full time staff. WSD expects a minimum operational life of 30 years, at which time the Farm’s service and equipment would be re-evaluated.
The exhibition/submission period for Wollar Solar Farm closed on the May 7. EIS and other information can be found here.
Author: Blake Matich
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