The State Government of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia has approved construction of a massive 900 MW (AC) solar farm at Yarrabee Park some 23 km away from Narrandera in Riverina. Reach Solar Energy will develop the project in phases.
"When built, this new solar farm will have the capacity to power a city nearly twice the size of Newcastle," said NSW Minister for Energy, Don Harwin. "This project will support over 450 construction jobs over the construction period of around four and half years, providing a significant economic boost to the local economy."
Reach Solar Energy is developing the project in phases. The first phase will see 300 MW capacity to be connected to the grid. The entire project will be constructed within 2 years with enough clean energy to be generated for another 30 to 40 years. Decommissioning of the project is expected in 2051, according to the project website.
Expected to cost almost AU$1 billion ($717 million), it will be the largest for the state announced till date. There are already 9 major operating large-scale solar farms in the state with a total capacity of around 500 MW. The 900 MW project is expected to generate up to 2,250 GWh of clean energy annually on completion with solar modules mounted on single axis tracking system.
The Department of Planning and Environment says 6 new solar farms with 305 MW capacity were commissioned in 2018 in NSW representing an investment of $475 million, while 7 with total 530 MW capacity are under construction and account for an investment of $720 million. Almost 70 more solar farms, with capacity to generate more than 10 GW, have either secured or are seeking planning approval in the state.
Including the 900 MW project, in the month of December 2018 NSW approved over 1.5 GW solar power capacity (see NSW Approves 140 MW Solar Project).