The South Australian government has approved the development of a renewable energy facility with 275 MW capacity to come up near Port Pirie. Proposed by Neoen Australia, Crystal Brook Energy Park will comprise 150 MW of solar, 125 MW of wind, and a 130 MW/400 MWh lithium-ion battery storage facility, according to local media reports.
The company has also proposed setting up to 50 MW of hydrogen production or a facility with capacity to generate up to 25,000 kg per day on-site or at nearby Port Pirie which will depend on the outcome of a feasibility study being conducted internally.
Originally conceived as a wind farm, the solar component was added as an afterthought thanks to the falling prices of solar panels and pairing the 2 with energy storage. The entire project is expected to cost a total of $500 million.
Construction on the project is expected to begin during H2/2020.
Another large-scale solar power plant proposed to be developed in the state is a 100 MW facility by Lightsource BP. The company hopes to develop the said project on 540 acres of land in Mannum, South Australia. Currently, the UK company is working with Golder consultancy for environmental planning to engage with local populace to educate them about the project and gather public support in the process.
Neoen Australia hasn't been that lucky in securing support of denizens. The French company has had to scale down its wind power capacity for the Crystal Brook project from its original plan by 50% to 26 turbines due to opposition from locals.
In July 2019, Energy Projects Solar secured state government's approval for 500 MW solar with 250 MW/1,000 MWh battery energy storage plant (see South Australia: 500 MW Solar+Storage Project Approved).