The project planned by Swedish OX2 for Summerville in northern New South Wales has been approved by the state’s Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure.
A $312 million (USD 199.7 million) Summerville Solar Farm is planned for the area about 25 kilometers south of Casino and will be built with a 90 MW solar facility and a 90 MW battery with enough storage for four hours. When the solar farm is active, it will deliver electricity to the NEM and produce energy for as many as 55,000 homes.
OX2 believes that by the year 2027, the Summerville Solar Farm should be constructed and running, though federal approval is needed first. The project is in line with the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, where the planning minister outlined how NSW plans to add a total capacity of 14 GW of new renewables and 2 GW of battery storage by 2030.
“NSW is leading a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the electricity network to deliver even more clean, affordable, and reliable energy for everyone in NSW.”
– Paul Scully, NSW Planning Minister.
Since March 2023, the NSW government has approved 12 solar, 5 wind, and 15 energy storage State Significant Development plans. The total capacity for producing renewable energy is 6 GW, and storing energy is 7.8 GW / 21.5 GWh. FEPC also has another 37 renewable energy projects in the assessment phase.
The government is
“committed to diversifying energy production and reducing carbon emissions while providing energy security and reliability.”
“responded to key issues raised during the community consultation period” but added the project “would provide a range of benefits for the region and the state as a whole.”
– Paul Scully, NSW Planning Minister
Land used for cattle grazing will be used to construct the Summerville Solar Farm. Over 215,000 PV panels are planned for use in the solar project, which will occupy a 240-hectare site.
The Department of Planning stated in its decision that the project is approved, provided that it must have a 10-meter-wide space around it as a fire safety measure along with others to deal with any negative effects on the environment and traffic.
Scully believes the project will not only create 200 jobs as it is being built but will also boost the local economy, since the Richmond Valley Council will get about $3.12 million to spend on community projects.
“Summerville Solar Farm will produce clean energy and bolster the Northern Rivers economy by creating jobs during construction and operational phases. We work towards utilizing local contractors wherever possible throughout the construction and operation of the project.”
– Paul Scully, NSW Planning Minister
According to OX2, the company’s goal is to invest more into the region’s economy by working with local companies, as they have a development portfolio of over 30 GW.
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