A new $651 million solar farm approved near Gunning, NSW, is set to provide renewable energy to up to 92,000 homes in the Southern Tablelands region.
The 250-megawatt solar facility, located 12km south-west of Gunning, will feature an advanced battery storage system capable of storing 600 megawatt-hours of energy, with a four-hour dispatch capacity.
According to the NSW Government, this storage capability will allow the facility to power approximately 60,000 households during peak demand periods, even outside daylight hours.
Environmental benefits of the project include an estimated reduction of 353,153 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The development is also expected to generate substantial economic advantages for the region, creating 350 construction jobs and providing $4.7 million in community project funding to the Upper Lachlan Shire Council over the project’s lifetime.
Following community consultation, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has implemented specific conditions for the project, including requirements for road infrastructure improvements.
The Gunning solar farm marks the eleventh solar project and twenty-eighth renewable energy installation approved under NSW’s current Minns Government. Officials say the project will contribute to reducing energy costs while supporting the state’s emissions reduction goals.
The development comes as part of NSW’s broader strategy to expand its renewable energy infrastructure, with aims to enhance grid stability and energy security while delivering economic benefits to local communities.
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