Canberra Times
22 January 2011, Page: 3
The NSW Government has given planning approval for the construction of a $150 million solar farm 6km north-east of Bungendore. The approval, announced yesterday, paves the way for Capital Solar Farm - a joint venture between Infigen Energy and Suntech Power Holdings - to potentially become the first operational solar farm in NSW.
However, construction of the solar farm remains contingent on Infigen Energy and Suntech Power receiving project funding from the Commonwealth and NSW governments. Infigen Energy already operates the 67-turbine Capital Wind Farm, also north-east of Bungendore, and is awaiting planning approval for a $180 million wind farm expansion into an adjacent site, potentially erecting a further 55 turbines.
The Capital Solar Farm project would involve the construction of up to 32 blocks of solar panels. Member for Monaro Steve Whan said yesterday the project was expected to create dozens of jobs. The NSW Department of Planning imposed 56 conditions on the project, including that Infigen Energy provide funding to help Palerang Council upgrade community infrastructure.
Palerang Council Mayor Walter Raynolds welcomed yesterday's developments. Mr Raynolds said the project would provide a "huge boost" during the construction phase. Bungendore Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting president Andrew Riley said he could not see a downside to the solar farm project. "If it's as successful in stimulating local business as when the wind farm was being constructed - and there's no reason to expect it wouldn't be - that's great news", he said.
Infigen Energy said in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange that the consortium had one of four shortlisted proposals being assessed for Commonwealth funding under its Solar Flagships Program. It said the development of the Bungendore solar farm and two others contained in its proposal were subject to the consortium's funding bid being successful.
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