Massive solar farm and eight-hour battery project approved for Upper Hunter

The NSW government has given the go-ahead for a 450MW solar farm in the Upper Hunter region. The farm will be linked to an eight-hour battery, one of the largest of its kind in the world.

The Goulburn River Solar Project has been proposed by Lightsource BP and will be constructed on agricultural land approximately 28km south of Merriwa on the upper Hunter River.

The battery component was one of three eight-hour large battery projects awarded warranty contracts by the NSW government in the past year, which are expected to help plug supply gaps as the state’s ageing coal mines are retired over the next decade.

The winning proposal under the Long-Term Energy Services Agreement (LTESA) was to build a 49MW, 392MWh battery at Goulburn River, although it is unclear whether this will be the final size of the battery.

The company’s planning application includes several different options. The battery component was originally envisioned as a two-hour, 570 MWh battery, but the revised EIS includes options up to 2,000 MWh.

Two other eight-hour battery storage projects have been awarded guarantee agreements by the New South Wales government, including the smaller Limondale battery being built by RWE in the south of the state and the 2,000MWh Richmond Valley battery proposed by Ark Energy in the north of the state.

Lighsource bp says the $880 million project will eliminate approximately 733,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and create 350 jobs during construction.

In response to community feedback, changes were made to the original plans to include Lightsource BP’s additional road improvements and the construction of on-site employee accommodation.

“Under our government we have a planning system that supports the transition to renewable energy by approving projects that will support our communities, energy security and reduce emissions,” said Paul Scully, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces.

“By creating 350 jobs during construction and operation, this project will benefit the local economy and communities, as well as indirectly benefiting local services throughout the life of the project.

“This project is one of many that are part of the state’s growing renewable energy infrastructure, playing a critical role in powering our economy for generations to come.”