The Hybrid Meadow Creek solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project has been approved by the New South Wales (NSW) government, despite facing opposition from local residents. The project, which will be located near the town of Muswellbrook, is expected to generate 360 MW of solar power and store 1 GWh of energy in its battery system.
The project was proposed by Australian renewable energy company, Spark Renewables, and will be built on a 543-hectare site. The solar farm will consist of approximately 820,000 solar panels, and the BESS will be capable of storing enough energy to power around 100,000 homes for a day.
Despite its potential to contribute to NSW’s renewable energy targets, the project has faced significant opposition from local residents, who have raised concerns about the project’s impact on the environment, noise pollution, and visual amenity. Some residents have also expressed concerns about the potential health impacts of the solar farm and BESS.
However, the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has approved the project, subject to certain conditions. The department found that the project’s benefits, including its contribution to the state’s renewable energy targets and the creation of jobs during construction, outweighed the potential negative impacts.
The approval of the Hybrid Meadow Creek project is a significant milestone for the NSW renewable energy sector, which is aiming to reach a target of 50% renewable energy by 2030. The project is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 230,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 750,000 tons per year.
The project’s approval is also a boost for the Australian battery storage industry, which is expected to play a critical role in the country’s transition to renewable energy. The 1 GWh BESS will be one of the largest in the country and will help to stabilize the grid and provide backup power during periods of high demand.
Overall, the approval of the Hybrid Meadow Creek project demonstrates the NSW government’s commitment to supporting the development of large-scale renewable energy projects, despite community opposition. The project is expected to create jobs, stimulate local economic growth, and contribute to the state’s renewable energy targets, making it an important step towards a more sustainable energy future.