Mates Gully Solar Farm

Project Update: Scoping Report & Next Drop-In Session

Project update: Scoping Report & next drop-in session

31 May 2022
Scoping Report submitted to DPE

We are excited to announce the submission of the proposed Mates Gully Solar Farm Scoping Report to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE). The project documents are available to view on the Major Projects portal via this link

The DPE will issue environmental assessment requirements (SEARs) within 28 days and the full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposal will be undertaken in accordance with these SEARs.

Consultation

Spark Renewables will hold a face-to-face open drop-in session from 2pm-7pm on Thursday, 16 June 2022 at Quality Inn Carriage House (7 Eunony Bridge Rd, East Wagga Wagga). You are welcome to drop in any time to meet the Spark Renewables team and ask questions about the proposed Mates Gully Solar Farm.

If you are unable to make this drop-in session, contact us at info@sparkrenewables.com or 1300 271 419 to have a chat or organise another time to meet.

Download: Mates Gully Solar Farm Project Update – 31 May 2022

Community consultation commences for the proposed Mates Gully Solar Farm

Community consultation commences for the proposed Mates Gully Solar Farm

7 February 2022

Spark Renewables has commenced community consultation for the proposed Mates Gully Solar Farm by opening registration for two online forums to be conducted via Zoom on Tuesday, 22 February 2022.

The proposed project is a solar farm with a generation capacity of up to 160 megawatts and battery energy storage system that could output 100 megawatts over four hours.

The electricity generated by the solar farm would provide enough reliable, clean electricity to power approximately 90,000 NSW homes, while offsetting the emission of more than 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

The site location is approximately 30km east of Wagga Wagga, between Borambola and Tarcutta in the Wagga Wagga City Council Local Government Area of New South Wales. The project location is particularly attractive for its strong solar irradiance and access to the electricity grid through existing 132 kV lines that cross the proposed site.

The project is in the early stages of development and must undergo a rigorous planning and assessment process. All interested neighbours and community members are invited to ask questions and provide feedback before a Scoping Report is lodged with the planning authorities.

Stakeholders will have further opportunities to provide feedback throughout the planning process, including when the Environmental Impact Statement goes on public exhibition.

Long-term, distributed benefits for hosting the Mates Gully Solar Farm would be offered to the community in accordance with the level of impact on residents.

Anthony Marriner, Head of Spark Renewables, said: “We are looking at offering three different options of benefit-sharing that are each determined by how closely neighbours are impacted by the solar farm; however, we are open to suggestions that better appeal to the community.”

People can register for either one of the two virtual community meetings by going to the project website: www.matesgullysolarfarm.com. For those who are not able to attend, more information is available on the project website, including the Mates Gully Solar Farm project newsletter.

The Spark Renewables team can also be reached on 1300 271 419.

ENDS

Contact:
Will Stone, Head of Development
M: +61 468 745 736
E: will.stone@sparkrenewables.com

Download media release: Community consultation commences for the proposed Mates Gully Solar Farm.

Mates Gully Solar Farm Community Newsletter #1

Mates Gully Solar Farm Community Newsletter #1

1 February 2022

The proposal: Mates Gully Solar Farm

The Mates Gully Solar Farm is a proposed solar farm development to be located approximately 30 km east of Wagga Wagga, between Borambola and Tarcutta (Wagga Wagga City Council Local Government Area). The solar farm is being developed by Spark Renewables, a leading developer and long term owner and operator of renewable energy projects.

What is proposed?

The proposed solar farm would consist of photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted onto single axis trackers that slowly rotate and follow the sun each day.

The proposal includes a containerised battery energy storage system, which will provide ‘on demand’ generation or ‘firming’ to the electricity grid.
The battery system would store electricity from the solar panels when the sun is at its peak, and then distribute this energy into to the electricity grid at other times of the day.

Launch of community consultation

The project is in early stages of development and must undergo a rigorous planning and assessment process. We will undertake extensive community consultation prior to formal development application to planning authorities, and invite all stakeholders and community members to get involved and voice their questions or concerns.

Virtual community meetings Due to the challenges of COVID-19, we understand it is not always safe or comfortable for everyone to join in-person community meetings. We would like to invite you to either a lunch-time or after-work virtual community meeting via Zoom. The format will be in a presentation followed by an open Q&A forum. The meetings will take place on:

  • Tuesday, 22 February 2022, 12.30-1.45pm
  • Tuesday, 22 February 2022, 6-7.15pm

Register here:

Read in full: Mates Gully Solar Farm Community Newsletter #1, February 2022.