A Newell Highway site could become home to an almost 11-hectare solar farm.
Plans for the proposed Narrabri Solar Farm were submitted to Narrabri Shire Council with the $6.6 million development now subject to public exhibition.
The site, located 4.5 kilometres south-west of Narrabri, would feature 12,100 solar modules ranging in height from 1.5 metres to 2.75 metres installed in 140 rows.
Two inverter stations, each mounted on a 12.2 metre long skid, a temporary car parking and materials laydown area, a security fence and perimeter landscaping on the outer side of the security fence would also form part of the development.
The solar farm project would generate in excess of 12.71 gigawatt hours of energy annually which will offset almost 8500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions, the project’s proponent, ITP Development says in documents published on the NSW government’s Planning Portal.
The facility would provide enough energy to power about 2150 homes in NSW.
“Electricity generated by the system will be directed to the settlement via existing electrical infrastructure to contribute to the supply of electricity for use by households and businesses in Narrabri town centre,” the application reads.
“The solar farm will generate community economic benefits through local employment opportunities during the planning and construction phases as well as maintenance and inspection jobs once operational.”
During the project’s construction period, ITP Development estimates there could be up to 50 people working on site.
Once operational, the site would be unmanned, however, maintenance would need to be carried out at the facility.
Construction is anticipated to take three months and the facility would have an expected operational life of 35 years.
ITP Development has also spruiked the project’s positive environmental impact.
“The development of the solar farm will assist the transition of our economy from reliance on fossil fuels to renewable sources,” the company says in its application.
“It will assist Commonwealth and NSW governments to achieve targets and objectives relating to emissions and addressing climate change.”
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