MATES GULLY SOLAR FARM
About the Project
Mates Gully Solar Farm is a proposed solar farm development with a generation capacity of up to 160MW. A containerised battery energy storage system with a capacity of up to 100MW would be built with the solar farm. The solar farm has a potential to power around 90,000 Australian homes per year and offset the emission of more than 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide*.
* Source: Australian Energy Regulator and the Clean Energy Regulator
Overview
Why this site?
There is excellent solar resource with one of the highest irradiance areas in the state, and existing 132kV transmission lines that cross the proposed site to enable connection of the project to the grid.
Technology
The solar farm would consist of ~2x1 metre photovoltaic (PV) panels with a generation capacity of 500-600 watts each. The panels would be mounted on single axis trackers that rotate with the sun.
Firm generation
Batteries provide firm generation ‘on demand’ for the electricity grid. Batteries would store electricity from the solar panels when the sun is at its peak and distribute to the electricity grid at other times of the day.
Jobs & training
Mates Gully Solar Farm is estimated to create around 200 jobs during construction, and up to 5 during the operational life. We would prioritise procurement of goods and services from nearby townships and Aboriginal-owned businesses.
First Nations
Spark Renewables is aligned with commitments to achieving the target of 20% to involve Aboriginal-owned businesses, men and women in the project benefit-sharing initiatives to increase First Nations income and employment opportunities.
Benefit sharing
Long-term, distributed benefits for hosting the Mates Gully Solar Farm would be offered to the community in accordance with the impact on residents on three levels: electricity benefit scheme; community fund; and neighbour agreements.
Planning
The Mates Gully Solar Farm project will be considered a State Significant Development under NSW planning policy. The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) will assess the proposal and the consent authority will be either the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces or the Independent Planning Commission.
Status
The project is in the early stages of development and must undergo a rigorous planning and assessment process, with extensive community consultation to be undertaken.
Staying informed
- Sign up to project updates.
- Participate in forums.
- Receive phone calls from the team.
- Attend public & one-on-one meetings.
- Provide feedback via online surveys.
Consultation
All stakeholders and community members are invited to get involved in the consultation process and voice their questions or concerns prior to formal development application to planning authorities.
Social Impact Assessment survey
Let us know your views about the project by completing this survey which feeds into our Social Impact Assessment.
Download Documents
Virtual Community Meeting Presentation, 22 February 2022
Development Application & Environmental Impact Statement
Public documents for review will be available on the DPIE website
Timeline
Initial identification completed, consultation ongoing
Step 1
Project identification
2022
Step 2
Community Consultation and Preliminary Studies
Late 2022/Early 2023
Step 3
Submission of Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement
2023
Step 4
Development consent
Late 2023
Step 5
Financial investment decision
2024-2025
Step 6
Construction
2025 onwards
Step 7
Operations
Work With Us
Register your details - employment & supplier opportunities
We will contact all businesses and individuals if the Mates Gully Solar Farm project is approved and proceeds to construction.
Keeping informed
Ask your questions or sign up to receive project updates either via newsletters, online forums or one-on-one calls. You can also call us 1300 271 419.