The state government has signed off on plans for the construction of the state's largest solar farm to be built between Denman and Mudgee.
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The Department of Planning's final approval for the $431 million Wollar Solar Farm adds to the building momentum of renewable energy projects across the greater Hunter region.
The 290 megawatt solar farm will create up to 320 construction jobs and generate enough electricity to power around 108,000 homes, saving and estimated 614,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
All submissions received from the public and special interest groups while the project was on exhibition were supportive of the renewable energy project.
The more than 920,000 solar panels needed for the project will cover slightly over half the 800 hectare site located on former grazing land.
Associated infrastructure will include a substation, battery storage and connection to an existing TransGrid Substation via nearby transmission line.
Other large-scale renewable energy projects due to come on-line in the Hunter over next decade are a 250 megawatt wind farm at Bowman's Creek, a 250 megawatt pumped hydro scheme at Bells Mountain, a 250 megawatt gas-fired power station at Tomago.
A 62 megawatt solar farm at Vales Point power station has also been approved.
The projects will ultimately offset the impending shutdown of AGL's 2000 megawatt Liddell power station.
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Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
