FRV unveils new solar farm plans

GLOBAL renewables developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures has proposed another large solar farm in North Queensland, this time on rural land north of Townsville.

FRV developed the Clare Solar Farm in the Burdekin region which recently began operating and is providing a peak output of 125MW.

Now consultant Environmental Resources Management Australia has lodged a development application on behalf of FRV with Townsville City Council.

The proposal is also open for public notification under the Federal Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

The project is proposed for a 273ha site on Settler Rd which also fronts the Bruce Highway about 7km north of Bluewater.

It includes a photovoltaic array, tracking system, inverters, control building, substation, battery energy storage system, parking and access and utilities connections.

According to the DA, the site is considered a prime location for a solar farm because it is close to Townsville and there is an absence of significant environmental features or good quality agricultural land at the location.

The power station will be connected to the grid network via an on- site substation which will provide direct connection into an existing 132kV transmission line which runs through the property.

The application is open for public comment until Thursday, November 22.