New South Wales grants approval to 492 MW of solar projects

December 14 (Renewables Now) - New South Wales, the southeastern Aussie state, this week awarded planning approval to 492 MW of solar projects, representing a combined investment of AUD 730 million (USD 523m/EUR 463m).

The largest one of the three cleared proposals is Edify Energy’s Darlington Point photovoltaic (PV) project, estimated at AUD 407 million. The scheme calls for the construction of a 275-MW solar park near Griffith, expected to generate power for over 130,000 local homes, while its construction and operation are seen to open up to 300 jobs in the area.

According to the developer's website, a battery storage system will be installed at the site at a later point.

Meanwhile, Photon Energy Australia has secured permission for its 170-MW Suntop solar project near Wellington, in the state’s Central West area. Once up and running, the plant is seen to produce power to meet the demand of up to 70,000 homes.

New South Wales' Department of Planning and Environment has also given its nod to an AUD-61-million solar proposal by Green Switch Australia in Gregadoo, a suburb of Wagga Wagga city. Planned to use about 122,000 PV panels installed at a site that is currently used as grazing land, the facility will generate electricity for over 17,500 homes annually.

(AUD 1.0 = USD 0.716/EUR 0.634)