Another major solar energy facility approved for the Western Downs
Western Downs Regional Council has approved development of another large solar farm in its region – this one a Shell Australia project.
The proposed 250MW Delga Solar Farm is to be situated approximately 25 kilometres south-west of Wandoan on 400 hectares of land and connected to Powerlink’s Wandoan South substation. The project is expected to generate up to 800 jobs during construction and 10 ongoing operational positions.
“We’ve fully embraced the future of renewables and energy production in our region, and we welcome the proposal of Shell Australia onto the solar energy scene in the Western Downs,” said Mayor Paul McVeigh. “This interest from a leading multi-national energy company to invest in renewable energy in our region is a great boost to the Western Downs’ already impressive energy portfolio.”
Mayor McVeigh says the Shell facility will bring many benefits to local communities and is another step towards a goal of making the Western Downs the Energy Capital of Australia. Council also utilises solar panels on dozens of its own buildings and facilities; with more solar power systems to be installed during this financial year.
The thumbs up for Delga Solar Farm is the eighth solar farm approval granted by Council.
Earlier this month, we reported approval of the Wandoan South Solar Project, a 1-gigawatt capacity solar farm not far from Shell’s proposed site. Other solar power stations approved by Council this year are a 100MW and a 300MW facility in the Chinchilla region.
Western Downs Regional Council is the amalgamation of six former Shire Councils (Town of Dalby, Chinchilla, Murilla, Tara, Wambo and Taroom Division 2). It manages an area of 38,039 square kilometres, approximately the size of Switzerland.
As for Shell, it’s been ramping up its solar-related activities recently after some years in the PV wilderness.
A few weeks ago, we mentioned the company had invested in Singapore’s Sunseap Group, with view to collaboration on solar projects in the Asia-Pacific. Solar PV has also appeared on Shell’s headquarters in Thailand in the form of Solar Frontier panels; produced by Showa Shell Sekiyu Kabushiki Kaisha, which is the base of Royal Dutch Shell group in Japan.
The Delga Solar Farm project now awaits final financial approval by Shell Australia.
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So now we are going to jump on the solar farm cash cow and pave over the land with panels. Tesla has a roof tile system which would probably make a solar panel farm obselete and unnecessary. Get over yourselves you’re only in it for the money no pretending you care…. sorry no forethought. You asked me to speak my mind.
I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my solar farm money.
Julie Brown, if that’s you speaking your mind, you’ve lost it.
Are you upset that Shell has been resourcing the earths natural resources to provide billions with electricity and heating, whilst you’re typing on your little computer more than likely powered by primary energy with components of plastic which is also developed from guess what?
Then you’ll jump in your car (more than likely not a RE powered car) complain about the fuel prices and wonder how they have the audacity to try and make a ‘profit’ off their sales?
Do you expect the entire company to work as a charity?
People like you are screaming blue murder because at oil/gas companies exploiting the earth of it’s resources whilst you’re the one providing the demand to keep the wheels rolling of the company, how do you have the audacity to blame them for making a profit?
Which brings us to this article “Queensland’s Delga Solar Farm Gets Green Light”, and you still complain???????????
Of course they’re trying to make a profit?! why on earth would they do it for free? how is that sustainable?
PS: if you care so much about it, do something about it or shut up.