UPC Renewables will be developing AUD 768 million New England Solar Farm in New South Wales after state’s Independent Planning Commission approved the project with conditions. (Photo Credit: Department of Customer Service, Government of New South Wales)

A massive solar power farm with 720 MW proposed capacity has received planning approval from the Independent Planning Commission of New South Wales government in Australia. The proposed solar farm was found by the commission to be in public interest. It determined that the land can again be used as agricultural land post decommissioning of the project and it would not affect the inherent agricultural capability of the land.

Proposed by UPC Renewables Australia Pty Ltd (UPC), the project is likely to have 200 MW/400 MWh of lithium-ion battery storage capacity. It would comprise more than 2.4 million solar panels with 150 power conversion units and on completion will be connected to TransGrid’s existing transmission line.

UPC has proposed to develop the 720 MW New England Solar Farm on 3,362 hectares of agricultural land in Uralla Shire local government area.

As per the commission’s documents, UPC will be developing the solar farm in the form of northern and central arrays of 500 MW and 220 MW, respectively for an investment of AUD 768 million ($506.6 million).

On the project website, UPC Renewables describes itself as having US origins and claims to have an operational portfolio of more than 3.5 GW of wind and solar power capacity in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

In January 2019, Reach Solar Energy received go ahead from the New South Wales government for the 900 MW Yarrabee Solar Farm in Riverina (see New South Wales Approves 900 MW Solar Farm).