A large-scale battery near Armidale with the capacity to supply 60,000 homes during peak times has been given the green light for construction.
It's the latest in the State's growing network of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) which will be critical to supporting the transition to clean energy as coal-fired power stations retire, and bolstering the strength and reliability of the energy network.
The $209 million Armidale BESS will store excess energy from the electricity grid during non-peak periods.
The 150 megawatt / 437 megawatt-hour battery can then ramp up quickly when households need power, during the busy morning and evening times.
The project will create 100 construction jobs and provide Armidale Regional Council with more than $2.5 million to invest in local community projects.
Under the approval conditions, developer Valent Energy Developments will provide the council a lump sum of $1.275 million through a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) as well a further $1.275 million over the life of the project.
Renewable energy developer VPAs with regional councils typically fund community halls, sporting facilities, libraries, parks and playgrounds.
In addition, Valent has committed to annual contributions totalling $400,000 for the upkeep and enhancement of the New England Rail Trail over 20 years.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure considers the project, which will connect to a nearby existing substation, has been designed to avoid and minimise environmental, noise and visual impacts, and potential fire safety and road safety issues have been addressed.
Under the Minns Government, there have been 40 renewable projects approved, including 17 large scale batteries.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"Large-scale batteries are key to a stronger, more reliable energy network.
"This is a major capital investment, creating jobs and providing Armidale Regional Council more than $2.5 million to invest in local community projects over the next 20 years.
"Over the next decade regional councils will receive hundreds of millions of dollars to spend on their communities following the Minns Labor Government's introduction of community benefit sharing requirements for renewable energy projects.
"The approval of the Armidale large-scale battery adds to a long list of approved clean energy projects that will power our renewable energy future."
Northern Tablelands Duty MLC Peter Primrose said:
"Not only will this project strengthen our energy network, it will deliver real and lasting benefits for the community, supporting local jobs, funding local facilities, and investing in projects people here rely on every day.
"The contributions secured for community infrastructure and the New England Rail Trail show how renewable energy projects can deliver more than clean power, they can deliver for communities."
