Massive solar and battery project advances through federal approval, awaiting state clearance
A significant solar and battery project in south-west New South Wales has successfully navigated the federal environmental assessment, although it is still awaiting necessary planning approvals from the state government.
The Strontian solar project, developed by the Spanish renewables firm Grupo Cobra, is set to become one of the largest solar and battery installations in Australia. The project aims to combine a 383 megawatt (MW-dc) solar farm with a substantial 333 MW battery capable of storing up to 2,664 megawatt hours (MWh).
Project Details and Location
Situated approximately 17 kilometres from Narrandera, the Strontian project is adjacent to the existing Avonlie solar farm, which is owned by another Spanish entity, Iberdrola. The site is also positioned under a 330 kV transmission line and in a region that is seeing a number of additional renewable projects, including the Devlins Bridge wind project and solar initiatives at Yarrabee and Sandigo.
Changes to Initial Plans
Initially proposed as a 370 MW (dc) solar farm with a two-hour battery capacity, Grupo Cobra recently informed authorities of enhancements to the project. The solar component has been increased, and the battery’s capacity has been expanded to offer eight hours of storage—four times the initial proposal.
While no specific reason was provided for these modifications, industry experts suggest that this reflects the declining costs of battery storage and the growing demand for solar-battery hybrids. This development aims to meet the increased electricity demand during evening peak times and even into the morning hours.
Land Use and Employment Opportunities
The project will be developed on a single-owner land currently used for cropping, which is expected to transition to sheep grazing once the installation of over 650,000 solar panels is complete. The Strontian project has cleared the EPBC process managed by the federal department of climate change and energy and is preparing to submit its full environmental impact statement to state planning authorities.
According to its scoping report, the project will take place on flat terrain that has largely been cleared for agricultural use, with the Buckingbong state forest situated nearby. During the construction phase, it is anticipated that the site will need up to 300 workers, who will be accommodated in local hotels, motels, caravan parks, and various Airbnb options in Narrandera.
Future Endeavours and Strategic Importance
The project team has acknowledged that if any accommodation challenges arise during the preparation of the Social Impact Assessment (SIA), they will develop alternative lodging solutions in the wider region. Grupo Cobra, which possesses extensive energy assets across Spain, Europe, and the Americas, is a crucial player in the consortium developing the infrastructure for the Central West Orana renewable zone in New South Wales. The Strontian project represents one of Cobra’s initial renewable ventures in Australia.
