The Richmond Valley Solar Farm is a proposed Hybrid Solar Farm, being developed by Ark Energy, to be located approximately seven kilometres east of Rappville in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
The scope of the Richmond Valley Solar Farm includes:
- solar farm with a capacity of 435 megawatts (MW)
- battery with capacity of 475 MW / 2,200 megawatt hours (MWh)
- construction of a substation, and
- installation of a two-kilometre 330 kilovolt (kV) transmission line and associated infrastructure.
Key Dates
| 2026 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| 2027 | Expected Construction Completion |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Ark Energy |
| Successful Tenderer: | Elecnor |
| Procurement note: | Elecnor has signed an Early Contractor Involvement Agreement with project developers Ark Energy to undertake early works prior to the formal execution of an EPC contract. |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Jul 2022 | The proponent submitted the scoping report to the NSW State Government and requested SEARs. |
| Sep 2022 | The NSW Department of Planning and Environment issued the Planning Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the project. |
| Dec 2023 | The 275 megawatt / 2,200 megawatt hour, 8-hour storage battery component of the project was selected in AEMO Services' third tender round under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap to enter into a Long-Term Energy Service Agreement. |
| Jul 2024 | The Environmental Impact Statement submitted by Ark Energy was placed on exhibition, with consultation closing on 21 August 2024. |
| Mar 2025 | The project was included in the Federal Government's inaugural Renewable Energy Priority List. The Priority List aims to provide coordinated support through Federal, state and territory regulatory and environmental approval processes on a case-by-case basis and provide a 'faster to yes, faster to no' approach to regulatory approvals. |
| Mar 2025 | Hanwha Energy was selected for the manufacture, delivery and installation of the BESS component of the project. |
| Sep 2025 | Elecnor entered into an Early Contractor Involvement with Ark Energy to deliver early works for the project, prior to the formal award of an EPC Contract. |
| Oct 2025 | The NSW Government granted planning and development approval to the project. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2024)
Sector
Energy
Procurement approach
Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
Media releases
2025/10/16 - NSW Development Approval2025/03/12 - BESS supply contract signed
2025/09/29 - ECI/EPC Contract Awarded
