New South Wales Approves 275 MW PV Capacity

Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) government has approved four new solar power projects, which will be able to produce 275 MW of clean energy once they are operational.

The Department of Planning and Environment said that these projects will come up in western NSW in Nevertire, Walgett, Gilgandra and Metz. The PV plants will have the capacity to electrify more than 100,000 homes in the vicinity, along with generating up to 645 construction local jobs.

Before granting approval to these solar projects, the department consulted their merits with community, landowners and local councils.

“NSW continues to lead Australia in large-scale solar,” said Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts. Adding, “We are committed to our country’s Renewable Energy Target and the State’s Renewable Energy Action Plan, and we are well on the way toward the 20 per cent target for renewable energy by 2020.”

The four projects join 12 solar projects that were approved previously by the department for the region. In total, that makes it 16 new large-scale solar projects approved for NSW with a combined capacity of 1,131 MW, which is enough to power 423,000 homes.

Out of 33 solar power projects in NSW, three are operational, 13 are approved and there are proposals for 17 more, according to a tweet from the Department.

Recently, French renewable energy developer Neoen signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Australian energy retailer EnergyAustralia for 100 MW PV project in NSW (see Neoen Signs PPA For 100 MW In Australia).

Previously, EPC company Photon Energy had announced that it will be constructing a 316 MW PV plant in NSW, the biggest in the region (see Photon Energy Plans 316 MW In Australia).