A 250MW solar farm in New South Wales has been given the green light.
The Limondale Solar Farm, located south of Balranald in the state’s Riverina region, will produce enough energy to power 94,000 homes.
It is the state’s sixth solar farm approval this year. Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts said the project would help the state achieve its renewable energy target of 23.5 per cent by 2020.
“Our focus on developing clean energy sources is supporting state and national environmental targets and generating employment and benefits to families and businesses in our regional communities,” Mr Roberts said.
“During peak construction Limondale will employ about 200 workers, the flow on effects to business in Balranald and surrounding communities will be significant.
“This is a $150 million investment in NSW renewable energy development – we are truly leading the way in building clean energy solutions for our state.”
Minister for Energy and Utilities Don Harwin said the solar farm would be located next to the recently approved Sunraysia Solar Farm.
“We are getting on with the job of providing the supply needed in the future to power NSW,” Mr Harwin said.
“Together, these two new solar farms in the state’s south-west will have the capacity to supply 450MW of energy to the grid, the potential to power 170,000 homes.
“These solar farms represent a $425 million investment in renewable energy in an area fast becoming one of the solar power generation hubs of Australia.”
The Department of Planning and Environment has applied strict conditions to ensure economic, environmental and social impacts are carefully managed.
This includes a requirement for the proponent to work with Balranald Shire Council to maximise the employment of local workers and use of local accommodation, and to develop a strategy to manage the accommodation of the construction workforce.
