New $450m large-scale solar farm and battery storage in SA given the green light

Works are expected to commence early next year on a large-scale solar farm and battery storage in South Australia’s Mid North, with the project granted the necessary approvals for development. The South Australian Government and the Ngadjuri Nation Aboriginal Corporation have also expressed their support for this renewable energy project.

The $450 million Solar River Project is going to be delivered in two stages, with Stage 1 to comprise of a 200MW solar PV farm and a 120MWh lithium ion-based battery storage system while the second stage will include an additional 200MW of solar PV and 150MWh of battery storage.

The first electricity generation from Stage 1 is expected in the last quarter of 2019, and construction of Stage 2 is projected to commence around the same time.

The Solar River Project is expected to have a lifespan of 25 years, with its construction projected to generate up to 350 jobs over a two-year delivery period as well as up to 45 permanent jobs once it is operational - which will include opportunities for apprenticeships, traineeships, engineering and management roles.

“The Solar River Project is a 100% privately funded development which will create over 350 regional jobs in South Australia,” The Solar River Project CEO Jason May said.

Development site (source: The Solar River Project)

The development is going to be situated near Robertstown, halfway between Burra and Morgan. Once completed, the Solar River Project will be able to generate renewable energy enough to power 90,000 homes. Planned future stages of the Solar River Project will have the potential to generate enough clean energy to power up to 450,000 homes across Australia once the State Government’s proposed interconnector is also operational.

This renewable energy project is the brainchild of passionate South Australian Jason May and Richard Winter, a Perth-based lawyer. The company, The Solar River Project, is based at ThincLab - the University of Adelaide’s new venture incubator.

“We can only marvel at the imagination and drive of The Solar River Project team. At the University of Adelaide, we have been delighted to host and support the company at our ThincLab innovation hub,” Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mike Brooks said.

What are your thoughts on this new renewable energy development in South Australia? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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Source: The Advertiser, The University of Adelaide, Solar Quotes