The community feedback period relating to the development application for Chaff Mill Solar Farm in South Australia’s mid-north, which will incorporate battery storage, closes this Friday.
The proposed solar farm site is approximately 130km north of Adelaide, near the town of Mintaro in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council region. To be situated adjacent to the existing Mintaro substation, developer FRV (Fotowatio Renewable Ventures) says the facility will generate approximately 250,000 MWh per year and avoid approximately 132,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
The 100MW solar farm will feature approximately 360,000 solar panels mounted on single access trackers and a 50MW/100MWh battery storage facility situated in a corner of the project area consisting of up to 54 battery storage containers.
Construction of Chaff Mill Solar Farm would see approximately 200 jobs created and approximately five full-time equivalent roles during operation. FRV says it has also had discussions with local community groups to determine the best way to contribute to the community through various partnership opportunities.
The proposed 380 hectare site is currently being used for agricultural purposes and after the solar farm’s operating life of approximately 30 years, it will be rehabilitated with a suitable grass cover.
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures has 30 solar projects throughout the world and two in Australia – the 20MW Royalla Solar Farm in the ACT and the 56MW Moree Solar Farm in New South Wales. FRV is currently constructing the 100MW Clare Solar Farm near Ayr in Queensland and the 100MW Lilyvale Solar Farm, near Emerald in QLD.
Unlike many large-scale renewables developers active in Australia, it appears FRV is yet to sign on to the Clean Energy Council’s recently launched Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Developments.
Assuming it gets the green light for Chaff Mill Solar Farm, FRV envisions commencing construction late next year and completing the project by mid-2021. A decision on the application is expected late this year.
“South Australia is nationally recognised as a leader in clean energy production,” says FRV. ” The proposed Chaff Mill Solar Farm can further the development of the Australian clean energy industry and make a significant contribution to South Australia’s energy production.”
The project development application can be viewed here.
Other solar farm projects for South Australia’s mid-north at various stages include two Tilt Renewables projects near Snowtown and the huge Solar River Project, around 30 kilometres from Robertstown.
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