Energy Projects Solar lodges plans for new $1.17bn Mid North solar project as renewables sector booms
Michelle Etheridge, The Advertiser
January 29, 2019 10:05pm
Subscriber only
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Plans have been lodged for two new major solar power developments in the Mid North as the state’s renewable energy sector continues to boom, with almost $13 billion worth of projects now in the pipeline.
Energy Projects Solar is behind the $1.17 billion 500MW Robertstown Solar project, and another $650 million development at Bungama, near Port Pirie.
The State Commission Assessment Panel has released plans for the Robertstown Solar project for public consultation, and the company also expects its Bungama project designs to go on display this week.
It follows plans for a string of other local renewable energy works, including a $350 million solar development at Murray Bridge and the $450 million first stage of the Solar River Project, also near Robertstown, where work is due to start in May.
The Sydney-based Energy Projects Solar says if approved, its Robertstown development would displace the equivalent of 815,000 tonnes of greenhouses gas emissions – the equivalent of taking more than 300,000 cars off our roads.
The project planned for cropping land near Robertstown would also feature a 250MW battery. Company director Steve McCall said staff were still organising finance to cover the project’s $1.17 billion cost, but he was “very confident” of securing enough funds.
“At the moment we’re in discussions with a number of different investors to finalise our long-term investment partner,” he said.
“There’s a lot of interest in SA and the grid.
“We’re pretty keen to reach the point where we start construction – it’s been a long journey to get here.”
Mr McCall was confident about the Robertstown project’s success because of its “excellent location”.
The area has been earmarked as a potential site for an interconnector between SA and NSW.
“To be able to generate and send electricity north, south or east as required, it’s an excellent location and we have a significant number of interested parties that are looking to invest with us,” Mr McCall said.
The company says it would help reduce energy costs and provide South Australians with a reliable power supply.
About 275 people would be employed during construction and it would create 410 indirect full-time equivalent jobs in surrounding towns. The solar array would be built over at least two stages, taking about five years to complete and if approved, work would start towards the end of next year.
That project would be built on a 530ha cleared site, generating work for about 275 people.
Energy Projects Solar has several other plans around the state for the future.
Down the track the company is also planning another solar project for land near Cultana, near Whyalla, but its costing and size were yet to be determined.
The plans come as a Deloitte Access Economics report released yesterday showed SA’s economy was growing by a steady 2 per cent, with electricity generation recognised as a standout sector.
Also in the Mid North, about $450 million is expected to be invested in the Solar River Project’s first stage, near Robertstown. That work received state development approval last year.
Goyder Council Mayor Peter Mattey said the solar projects would have a “significant impact” on the region during construction.
“Whether people live in the region or if they fly them out, they’re obviously spending money in the region,” he said.
Mr Mattey said most locals saw solar farms as preferable to wind farms, as they did not have the same visual impact.
RENEWABLES PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE
AURORA SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT
Owner: SolarReserve
Solar thermal & storage
$650 million
Port Augusta
BARN HILL
Owner: Barn Hill Wind Farm Pty Ltd
Wind – onshore
Cost not stated
Barn Hill
BAROOTA PROJECT
Owner: Rise Renewables
Solar, pumped hydro
$700m
40km north of Port Pirie
BUNGALA SOLAR POWER PROJECT
Owner: Reach Solar Management Co
PV panels
$400 million
Bungala
BUNGAMA SOLAR
Owner: Energy Projects Solar
Solar & storage
$650 million
Bungama (near Port Pirie)
CARMODYS HILL
Owner: Energy Pacific Vic Pty Ltd
Wind – onshore
$350 million
Carmodys Hill (near Georgetown)
CERES PROJECT
Owner: Senvion (formerly REpower)
Wind – onshore
$1.5 billion
20km southwest of Ardrossan
CRYSTAL BROOK ENERGY PARK
Owner: Neoen Australia Pty Ltd
Wind, solar and storage
$500 million
Crystal Brook
CULTANA SOLAR PROJECT
Owner: SIMEC ZEN Energy Solar
Part of a $1 billion energy plan
Cultana (5km north of Whyalla)
EXMOOR
Owner: Acciona Energy Wind – Onshore
Cost not stated
15km north of Naracoorte
KEYNETON
Owner: Energy Pacific Vic Pty Ltd
Wind – onshore
$240 million
Keyneton
KINGFISHER SOLAR STORAGE
Owner: Lyon Solar
PV-tracking, flat panel & storage
$350 million
Roxby Downs
KONGORONG
Owner: Ratch Australia
Wind – onshore
Cost not stated
Kongorong
KULPARA
Owner: Ratch Australia
Wind – onshore
Cost not stated
Kulpara
LINCOLN GAP WIND FARM
Owner: Lincoln Gap
Wind Farm Pty Ltd
Wind – onshore
$450 million
Lincoln Gap
PALLAMANA SOLAR FARM
Owner: RES Australia Pty Lty
Solar & storage
$350 million
Pallamana, 4km from Murray Bridge
PALMER WIND FARM
Owner: Tilt Renewables Australia
Wind – onshore
Cost not stated
Mt Lofty Ranges
PORT AUGUSTA RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK
Owner: DP Energy Australia Pty Ltd
PV panels, wind – onshore
$680 million
Port Augusta
PORT AUGUSTA SOLAR
Owner: Solastor Pty Ltd
Solar thermal & storage
$700 million
Port Augusta
ROBERTSTOWN SOLAR
Owner: Energy Projects Solar
solar & storage
$1.17 billion
Robertstown
RIVERLAND SOLAR STORAGE
Owner: Lyon Solar
PV-tracking, flat panel
$1 billion
Morgan, Riverland
SOLAR RIVER (TWO OR MORE STAGES)
Owner: Solar River Project Pty Ltd
Solar & storage
$450 million
Bright/Geranium Plains, (near Robertstown)
SPENCER GULF PUMPED STORAGE HYDRO
Owner: Energy Australia
Pump storage of water
$200 million
Spencer Gulf
STONY GAP
Owner: Energy Australia
Wind – onshore
Cost not stated
Stony Gap
TAILEM BEND – SOLAR
Owner: Equis
PV panels
$200 million
Tailem Bend
WHYALLA – SOLAR
Owner: Adani
PV panels
$200 million
Whyalla
WHYALLA SOLAR FARM
Owner: Energy Pacific Vic Pty Ltd
PV-tracking, flat panel
Cost not stated
Whyalla
WILLOGOLECHE
Owner: Willogoleche Power Pty Ltd
Wind – onshore
$250 million
Willogoleche Hill (5km from Hallett)
WOAKWINE WIND FARM
Owner: Infigen Energy
Wind – onshore
$850 million
Near Tantanoola
YORKE PENINSULA BIOMASS
Owner: Kallis Family Trust
Steam sub-critical (straw-based fuel)
$100 million
Near Ardrossan
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