The Goulburn River Solar Farm would be a 450-megawatt (MW) solar farm and a 1,030-MW / 2,060-megawatt hour battery energy storage system (BESS), to be located approximately 28 kilometres south of Merriwa in the Hunter region of NSW.
The project, proposed by Lightsource BP, would include the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS).
The project also includes the construction of a substation and connection to the existing 500-kilovolt transmission line.
Key Dates
| Feb 2022 | Project Announcement |
| Dec 2024 | Construction Commencement |
| Dec 2026 | Expected Construction Completion |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Lightsource BP |
| Successful Tenderer: | Lightsource BP |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Dec 2021 | The project proponent, Lightsource BP, submitted a Scoping Report and requested the Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements for the project. |
| Feb 2022 | The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements were issued for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project. |
| Jun 2023 | The project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was placed on public exhibition, closing on 10 July. |
| Dec 2023 | The 49 MW battery component of the project was selected to enter into a Long Term Energy Service Agreement under the third tender round of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. |
| Aug 2024 | The NSW Government announced it had granted planning approval for the project, including a 450-megawatt solar farm and a BESS of up to 1,160 MWh in capacity. |
| Oct 2024 | The Federal Government announced its approval of the project, including a 450-megawatt solar farm, a battery storage system and local road upgrades. |
| Dec 2024 | Lightsource bp announced that it has commenced construction on the project. Lightsource bp also announced the project's size has increased from 250 megawatts to 585 megawatts. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2024)
Sector
Energy
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
