Dept of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water
Sun Shines On New NSW Solar Farm To Power 36,000 Homes
A new solar farm has now been approved in New South Wales by the Albanese Government, delivering jobs and cheaper cleaner energy for the Northern Rivers.
The 90-megawatt Summerville solar farm will be located on a 244-hectare site in Rappville in the Richmond Valley, 60 kilometres south west of Lismore.
The solar farm will connect via underground cables to Transgrid’s existing Lismore – Koolkhan transmission line located to the southeast of the site. It will generate enough energy to power 36,000 homes and features 215,000 PV panels and a 360 MW battery energy storage system with up to four hours of storage capacity.
The project has passed through federal environmental approvals in just 30 business days.
Summerville solar farm will reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 200,000 CO2-e tonnes per annum, equivalent to taking around 60,000 passenger cars off the road for a year.
Minister for the Environment, Murray Watt, said the project was located on agricultural land with abundant sunshine and that benefits would flow to the local community, businesses and the environment.
“This project is an example of good design and site selection leading to fast approval times and ultimately delivering reliable, renewable energy with minimal impact to the environment,” Minister Watt said.
“And I recognise the plans to maintain grazing on the land, as part of State Government approvals, demonstrating once again that there’s ways for renewables and agriculture to work together.
“At the very same time the Albanese Government is getting on with delivering cleaner, cheaper energy and jobs for the Northern Rivers, the Member for Page Kevin Hogan is engaged in Coalition squabbling over the science of climate change.
“The Deputy Nationals Leader needs to stand up for his community and back this project, rather than this head-in-the-sand Coalition scheme to take the country backwards.
“Since 2022, the Albanese Government has given the green light to 93 renewable energy projects – enough to power more than 11 million Australian homes.
“We’re producing record renewable electricity, and we are on track to transform Australia into a renewable energy superpower.”
The project will support around 200 jobs in construction, inspections, maintenance and management.
https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/media-releases/sun-shines-new-nsw-solar-farm-power-36000-homes