<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/farmer-owners-get-federal-green-tick-for-australias-southern-most-solar-farm-and-a-big-battery/>
"Federal environmental planners have waved through the giant Weasel solar farm
and battery in Tasmania’s central highlands with no conditions.
This project envisages a 250 megawatt (MW) solar facility with a 144 MW, 576
MWh big battery to store excess solar generation, leaving the site open for
solar grazing as well.
It’s being developed by local farming families, the Downie family from Dungrove
which was behind the Cattle Hill wind farm, and the Bowden family from Weasel
Plains, in partnership with Andrew Clark from Alternate Path.
They’re aiming to start construction of the project at the end of 2026 with
commissioning in the second half of 2027, now waiting only on local development
approval and a grid connection.
The proponents are also developing the proposed 350 MW Cellars Hill wind
project on the opposite side of the same road, and both are feeding into a
vision of an industrial precinct focused on data centres and alternative fuel
production to bring back jobs to the region.
“Weasel solar farm is a key first step as it enables us to commence the
renewable energy generation and connection assets to support the precinct,”
Clark told
Renew Economy.
“Planning for the Highland Renewable Energy Business Hub, located adjacent to
the Weasel solar farm, is underway and receiving positive feedback from
stakeholders and regulators.”
The Weasel solar project website says it will be Australia’s “most southern
solar farm”, but notes that summer daylight hours extend longer than in
northern areas, and during peak usage hours nationally. It is further south
than the 288 MW Connorville solar farm currently under construction near
Cressy.
With local landowners running behind the project, it is likely natural that it
will feature sheep grazing as well, a factor mentioned in its EPBC application.
The application said the solar farm would result in the permanent loss of 8.22
hectares of pastureland, but this would be outweighed “by the significant
ongoing operational and management benefits… including a likely reduction [in]
ewe and lamb mortality and overall improved livestock productivity”.
Clark says the developer is keen to add agrisolar to the project, and are
planning for that early in order to reap benefits such as extra shelter for
stock."
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*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
