The scope of the Richmond Valley Solar Farm includes:
- solar farm with a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW)
- battery with capacity of 275 MW / 2,200 megawatt hours (MWh)
- construction of a substation, and
- installation of a two-kilometre double circuit 330 kilovolt (kV) transmission line and 11 tranmission towers.
The project is being developed by Ark Energy, and is proposed to be located approximately seven kilometres east of Rappville in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. The project site is a total of 1,475 hectares with a development area of 803 hectares.
The project would comprise 730,000 bifacial solar panels with single axis tracking.
Key Dates
| 2026 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| 2027 | Expected Construction Completion |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Ark Energy |
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. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2024)
Sector
Energy
Procurement approach
Other |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
