Neoen goes for green tick

Company behind 500MW solar farm applies for federal approvals

THE company behind a 500MW solar farm on the Western Downs has applied for federal environmental approvals.

The 500 megawatt project by Neoen Australia called the Western Downs Green Power Hub, is expected to generate up to 400 jobs during construction, and five to 10 full-time staff for day-to-day operation.

Submissions on the project’s referral through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act can be made by members of the public until October 11.

The solar farm, which is expected to take up 1200ha of land off 16 Mile Hall Rd in Hopeland, will consist of about 1.1 million solar panels, as well as inverter stations, a transformer substation, battery storage facilities, administration office and storage sheds.

According to documents lodged with the Federal Government, the project will use the same commercial-scale Tesla powerpacks containing lithium ion batteries as were used by the company in the construction of its Hornsdale wind farm development in South Australia.

The site is described by the proponent as predominantly vacant land used for cattle grazing and breeding.

Neoen’s application states the Queensland Government has committed to initially securing 400MW of renewable energy, including 100MW of energy storage, as part of the State Government’s 50% renewable energy target by 2030.

For more information or to comment on the referral, head to http://epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/.