The Federal Government has given the nod to the Forbes solar farm project in a mere 19 days, underscoring how prudent site selection can materially accelerate federal environmental approvals.
This marks the 106th renewable energy initiative endorsed under the current government, with the project slated for degraded agricultural land featuring minimal native vegetation—conditions that significantly eased its rapid clearance.
Once built, the 141MW solar facility will host over 196,000 panels, linking to the grid via an onsite substation. A co‑located battery energy storage system boasting a 480MWh capacity will enable the system to power up to 60,000 homes during peak demand for four hours. Construction is projected to generate close to 100 jobs, with three ongoing roles post‑completion.
The project is estimated to cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 296,000 tonnes annually – equivalent to removing some 110,000 cars from Australian roads each year. Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt praised the expedited process: “By choosing to build this facility on disturbed agricultural land with little native vegetation, the proponent set themselves up for success.” He noted that rapid approvals can also unlock investment and jobs in regional communities.
However, full realisation of the project still hinges on approval from the New South Wales Government, which must evaluate the proposal under state planning rules.
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