The Federal Government has approved a new solar farm in NSW, which is expected to generate enough energy to power 229,000 homes.
The 600-megawatt (MW) Birriwa solar farm is located near Dunedoo and includes the construction of around one million solar panels and 600MW battery storage. It forms part of the central-west Orana renewable energy zone which recently received environmental approval for a transmission line.
The project is expected to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by six million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year, comparable to taking 1.8 million cars off the road for a year.
“We know projects like this are vital to boosting renewables capacity and putting downward pressure on prices, but they are also great for local jobs and economies,” the government said.
“This project will support around 500 direct jobs in construction and 20 ongoing jobs.
“Projects need to be placed in the right areas and designed so that their environmental impacts are minimised – as is the case with this project.
“This is another big step in the government’s plan to make Australia a renewable energy superpower.”
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek has approved more than 55 renewable energy projects in two years – enough to power almost seven million homes.
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