Switch

Switch 1/3

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:

RESEARCH and discuss waste to energy projects; solar gardens: utility scale solar farms; battery storage; micro-grids; pumped hydro & other options. Kevin Smith is our representative on the working group developing the Hume Community Power Hub Project Plan. Kevin has researched the viability of Solar Gardens and reported back to the committee on developments at the Haystacks Solar Garden Project in Grong Grong, NSW. Retired member Adrian Howden researched possibilities such as gasification based waste conversion systems and 'lighthouse' waste to energy projects elsewhere in Australia.

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 the Winton Solar Farm 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 Abdul Latif Jameel /FRV commitment video - youtu.be/lN0m64m43NY?si=yQvfLbXl3sBkq3Mx

Wirtgen/Signal Energy - 130/149 MW Glenrowan West Solar Farm (323 hectares / power for 41,000 local homes), Chivers Rd, Glenrowan West and Glenwest Lane, Winton. "Shovel Ready" in February 2020, the Glenrowan West solar farm started to send power to the grid in December 2020 , joined the national grid in the March quarter 2021 (AEMO) and became fully operational in June 2021. On June 10 2021, Renew Economy writer Sophie Vorath reported that 'The Glenrowan West solar farm between Benalla and Wangaratta in Victoria has been completed and declared fully operational, complete with a “sizeable” flock of sheep.'

Lighthouse BP Urbis - REB members attended the Community Information Drop In and breakfast events with the Lighthouse BP Urbis team in June 2018. Lighthouse BP's Community Information Pack on the proposed Mokoan Solar Installation was distributed at this time. Planning permission was approved by the Benalla Council in December 2018. (Benalla Ensign 12 Dec 2018) for the 15MW (Peak) Mokoan Solar Farm (28 hectares /power for 2330 homes ) 116 Lee Road, Winton A further community information night was held in August 2019 re expansion of project by 30MW to 45 MW/power for 9500 households. Refer Benalla Ensign 21 August 2019. Mokoan 2 (30MW) received Ministerial approval in June 2021.
The combined original and expansion site now form the Mokoan Solar Farm 51MW (15,386 households) - construction set to begin late 2022. (information accessed April 22, 2022)
Lighthouse BP is listing the *West Mokoan Solar Farm - 364 MW - construction set to begin late 2023 - this is an amalgamation of South Energy's West Mokoan and Kennedy's Creek solar farms and to be a joint venture with South Energy (refer below)

South Energy - Lighthouse BP Joint Ventures - planning applications for the following Solar Farms were made by South Energy and are now being developed as joint ventures with Lighthouse BP (refer South Energy website)

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/
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.
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.

Goorambat Solar Farms

ENGIE acquired the 250 MW Peak Goorambat East Solar Farm (640 hectares for 105,000 households), which was "given green light by council" in December 2019, from Neoen in early 2024. ENGIE project team members met with local community members at community drop-in information sessions at the Goorambat Hall on Thursday 23rd May 2024 and Friday 24th May 9 and at the Goorambat Recreation Reserve on Saturday 15th June for round 11, Goorambat v Bright. A recent news bulletin (June 18 2024) reports on the meeting and provides details of the perimeter plantings now underway at the solar farm. It also reports on the fact that, as part of the project, ENGIE has "committed to providing $75,000 per year to the local community for the life of the project (~30 years) upon the solar farm becoming operational. This fund is intended to be run by the community, for the community but needs to be designed to ensure that it is structured, governed, and administered in a legal and equitable way. More information regarding the establishment of the fund and how community members can be involved, will be available in the coming weeks." There is a toll-free phone number 1800 845 067 or email [email protected]
It is unclear what the status is of Neoen's 400 MW Peak Goorambat West Solar Farm project. 'West of Broken Creek - Landowners have signed with Neoen for a potential 400 MW + solar farm' website accessed 18 August 2020. The weblink to Goorambat West Solar Farm goes to the Engie website, but there is no detail about the project (11 May 2024)

Marble Solar - 100 MW Winton North Solar Farm proposed for Ashmead Road, Winton North, 4 K west of Glenrowan. Planning permit application dated March 2020 awaiting ministerial decision. Our latest information - Marble Solar are planning to start construction in 2024. 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.

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/ . The project was still on the drawing board in July 2023 and we have had no further news relating to it.

Lochard Energy - Winton H2REFUEL Project - 55MW solar farm colocated with a renewable hydrogen production and refueling station to be located just north of Winton. REB members attended the Loch Ard Community Information Session at the Hub Café on Tue, 4 Apr 2023 and have met with them since. A good starting point for more information is the website and also the H2REFUEL Community Newsletter No. 1, June 2023. Community Newsletter #2, July 2023, & Renewable Hydrogen Info Sheet

Plus North of Benalla Rural City shire boundaries, in the Wangaratta area

Wangaratta Solar Farm: Clean Peak Energy acquired the Country Wide Solar venture in North Wangaratta in December 2020. This article from Renew Economy (December 21, 2020) Wangaratta Solar Farm Sold, Making Way for Construction, details the purchase but also sets it in the context of electricity generation in the north east region of Victoria.

Glenrowan Solar Farm
In 2018 Wangaratta Council made the decision to refuse Esco Pacific's - 140MW @ Glenrowan Solar Farm Proposal (245 hectares - 49,000 homes - $150 million) - Wangaratta Council's decision to refuse developer Esco Pacific's solar farm application
This decision was overturned by VCAT on March 24 2019. Key permit issues for Victorian solar projects were clarified in this judgement.
On June 1st 2022 Esco Pacific announced it had agreed to the sale of the 125MW (dc) Glenrowan solar farm to construction and engineering giant Cimic Group. Cimic subsidiary, Pacific Partnerships, has ownership of the project, while another Cimic subsidiary, UGL, expects to complete the solar farm by the end of 2023, when operations and renewable energy generation is expected to commence.
In early October 2022 Pacific Partnerships secured a 10-year power purchase agreement with the state of Victoria in October 2022 for the sale of solar power from the Glenrowan Solar Farm. Glenrowan Solar Farm was selected as one of six new solar farm projects in the Victorian Renewable Energy Target 2 (VRET2) reverse auction process. It will generate an installed capacity of 130MWdc / 102MWac.
In mid December 2022 work started at the Glenrowan Solar Farm to prepare the 245-hectare site for construction the next year. "A small crew is preparing the site, building access and internal roads, installing worker amenities and a laydown area for storage of materials as well as staff parking'. Find out more - Media Release 13 December 2022 'Site works underway at Glenrowan Solar Farm'
International renewable project developer OX2 entered the Australian market in May 2023 through the acquisition of ESCO Pacific, an Australian focused utility scale renewable energy developer and asset manager.
By December 2023 Glenrowan Solar Farm was operational, with community grants announced and the testing phase was well underway - Read more in the Glenrowan Solar Farm December Newsletter 2023 .
By March 2024 CIMIC Group company UGL had finished construction of the project and it became fully operational in March 2024. OX2 remains involved in the project through long term technical and commercial management services.

AECOM Australia - on behalf of Hunter & Co - application proposed to occupy 9.1 ha at 35 Gunn Rd, about 3 km from Benalla. Local residents in close proximity expressed concern in a petition (Country News, 11 December). This application lapsed.