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Utility-scale renewable energy projects are typically defined as those 10 megawatts or larger.  Members of REB research, monitor and discuss options which 'switch' the source of energy used at a 'utility scale' from fossil fuels to renewable energy.    They:
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RESEARCH  and discuss waste to energy projects; solar gardens: utility scale solar farms;  battery storage; micro-grids; pumped hydro & other options.    Kevin Smith is currently our representative on the working group developing the Hume Community Power Hub Project Plan.  Kevin is also researching the viability of Solar Gardens and reporting back to the committee on developments at the Haystacks Solar Garden Project in Grong Grong, NSW.  Recently retired member Adrian Howden researched possibilities such as gasification based waste conversion systems and  'lighthouse' waste to energy projects elsewhere in Australia and  liased with Council staff about the feasibility of establishing a regional waste to energy project in Benalla. 
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MONITOR and disseminate information about local utility scale initiatives - for example:

  • FRV Services - 85MW  Winton Solar Farm (250 hectares /power for 52,000 homes ) is now fully constructed.  On February 9th 2021 it began sending early commencement levels of power to the grid and joined the National Grid in the March quarter 2021 (AEMO).  REB invited FRV to the BSFG general meeting in August 2018, where FRV Development Manager, engineer Avantika Basu,  updated BSFG members  on the project concept, its development approval and expected social and environmental benefits, then answered questions from the audience--find out more.   In December 2020, Renewable Energy Benalla received news of a community grant from the Winton Solar Farm to provide seed funding for a new community energy project involving the establishment of a 'behind the metre' project at local kindergartens.  The completed Munro Avenue Kindergarten  solar panel installation project was  launched by Helen Haines MP on May 6, 2021.  A  further community grant was successfully applied for in November 2021,  providing seed funding for  the Bernard Briggs Kindergarten solar panel installation launched by Helen Haines on February 25, 2022.    For latest Winton Solar Farm community news go to https://wintonsolarfarm.com/news-and-events​​
                 Mokoan Solar Farm  51MW  (15,386 households) - construction set to begin late 2022
             *West Mokoan Solar Farm - 364 MW - construction set to begin late 2023*  

  • South Energy -
  1. 75 MW Goorambat Solar Farm -  (130 hectares for 24,300 households) -  was listed as approved in July 2020.  It is expected to commence construction in 2022 and be fully operational in 2023.  Website:  https://southenergy.com.au/projects/goorambat-solar-farm/​   *This project is now listed on South Energy's website (accessed 22/4/2022) as being a joint venture with Lighthouse BP (see above).
  2. 190 MW West Mokoan Solar Farm Proposal (470 hectares for 68,000 households) -Website:   https://southenergy.com.au/projects/west-mokoan-solar-farm/   The planning permit application for the West Mokoan Solar Farm has been submitted to  DELWP and  relevant authorities, with approval expected in the first half of 2021.   *This project is now listed on South Energy's website (accessed 22/4/2022) as being a joint venture with Lighthouse BP (see above).
  3. 145MW Kennedy's Creek Solar Farm Proposal - (250 hectares hectares for 41,000 households)  - Information evening  was held on June 13, 2019 at the Lake Mokoan Hub  Website:   https://southenergy.com.au/projects/kennedys-creek-solar-farm/  Listed as ' Planning Permit Lodged and process underway' on 16 September 2020, Kennedys Creek Solar Farm received its planning permit from the Victorian Government Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) in November 2020.  *This project is  now listed on South Energy's website as being a joint venture with Lighthouse BP (see above), it has been merged into the West Mokoan Solar Farm venture on the Lighthouse BP webpage.
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  1. 250 MW Peak  Goorambat East Solar Farm (640 hectares for 105,000 households) has been approved.  Ensign - Dec 19 2019 "Goorambat solar farm given green light by council" Renewable energy company Neoen Australia received planning approval to build a new solar farm in Goorambat in December 2019.
  2. 400 MW Peak Goorambat West Solar Farm  -  'West of Broken Creek - Landowners have signed with Neoen for a potential 400 MW + solar farm'  website accessed 18 August 2020.
 
  • Mokoan Solar Project - Winton Wetlands Committee of Management  - 200+MW (800 ha for more than 50,000 households)  Expressions of Interest were received on Friday, July 12 2019.   The project was  then put out to tender - the successful tenderer is  awaiting planning approval.  https://wintonwetlands.org.au/new-solar-project-proposed/  
 
  • Marble Solar - 100 MW Winton North Solar Farm proposed for Ashdeane Road, Winton North, 4 K west of Glenrowan.  Planning permit application dated March 2020  awaiting ministerial decision.  Description of proposal  - Use and development of a renewable energy facility (solar farm) and ancillary buildings and works (including battery storage) and removal of native vegetation.   Winton North Solar Farm 's detailed Planning Assessment Report  released on December 20, 2020, is available here.

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Banner Images _FRV Winton Solar Farm in development, 15 August 2020