350MW Culcairn Solar Farm in NSW gets green light for construction
The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission has given the green light to the development of Neoen Australia's $636 million Culcairn Solar Farm in the Riverina region.
The proposed renewable energy project will comprise of a 350MW solar farm and a 100MW / 200MWh battery storage system.
The approval for development is subject to conditions that include plans to prevent or minimise environmental impacts of the project; plans for decommissioning and rehabilitation of the site; regular monitoring and reporting; and provision of ongoing environmental management.
The Culcairn Solar Farm is expected to support up to 350 direct and 1,546 indirect jobs during its construction phase as well as 6 direct and 113 indirect operational jobs.
In a statement, Neoen said: “Neoen will be continuing its engagement with a focus on maximising local participation opportunities and developing the community benefit-sharing scheme. Neoen are committed to sharing the benefits of our projects with the surrounding communities and expect the scheme to deliver $10 million in benefits over the lifetime of the Culcairn Solar Farm. The scheme will include three elements – construction disruption payments, a Community Benefit Fund and a voluntary contribution to the Great Hume Shire Council.”
Project location (source: Culcairn Solar Farm)
The project is going to be built in the south east Riverina region, approximately 4 kilometres south west of Culcairn, 45 kilometres north of Albury and 70 kilometres south of Wagga Wagga.
Once up and running, the Culcairn Solar Farm is expected to produce about 800,000MWh of renewable energy a year – enough to power up to 155,000 homes.
Early works on the project are anticipated to commence towards the end of this year, with hiring for workers and suppliers to begin soon. For the list of available work opportunities, visit the project website here.
Source: Culcairn Solar Farm (1, 2); Renew Economy; NSW Government – Independent Planning Commission; Renewables Now
Related Articles
Siemens Gamesa secures EPC contract for $350m Bulgana Green Power Hub
The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for Neoen Australia’s $350 million Bulgana Green Power Hub development has been awarded to Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE), with major construction activities to begin immediately.
$350m Banana Range Wind Farm in QLD given the construction go-ahead
The Queensland Government has given the green light to the development of a new $350 million wind farm located on the Banana Range, approximately 120 kilometres south-west of Gladstone and 20 kilometres west of the town of Biloela.
$350m Olympic Dam revamp to involve 1300 contractors during construction
BHP Billiton will be investing approximately $350 million towards the Olympic Dam smelter operations revamp in South Australia, with up to 1,300 contractors to be involved during peak construction.