The Albanese Government has approved a new solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) to be developed in Muswellbrook, New South Wales.
The 482-hectare development will generate enough energy to power up to 60,000 homes. It was approved in just 40 business days following an assessment by the New South Wales Government under a bilateral agreement.
The 135-megawatt (MW) solar farm includes the construction of 300,000 solar panels and a 135 MW BESS that can supply up to two hours of storage. It will connect to the existing Ausgrid 132 kV transmission line grid.
The project has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum, equivalent to taking approximately 90,000 passenger cars off the road annually.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt said the solar farm and BESS formed part of the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone and the area was selected to optimise the future land use of the former Muswellbrook Coal Mine site.
"The development is ideally located adjacent to and within the site of the Muswellbrook coal mine resulting in a fast approval time and minimal impact to the environment," Minister Watt said.
"Since 2022, the Albanese Government has given the green light to 97 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.
"This project will keep jobs in the local community and deliver reliable, renewable energy to local homes and businesses."
