The Northern Midlands Council in Tasmania has granted approval for the development of a 288-MW solar project, marking a significant step toward creating the island state's largest photovoltaic (PV) farm.
Tasmania's Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the positive decision on Tuesday, emphasizing the project's contribution to the region's renewable energy goals.
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The Northern Midlands Solar Farm is slated to be situated in Cressy, a small town located 35 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of Launceston, on existing farmland. The proposal, presented by TasRex Pty Ltd, a newly-established company with ambitious plans for up to 5 GW of solar, onshore, and offshore wind power capacity in Tasmania, includes an integrated battery energy storage system (BESS) and a new 220-kV transmission line.
With plans for 670,000 PV panels, the solar park aligns with Tasmania's target to achieve 200% renewable generation by 2040. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2025, with commercial operations expected to launch the following year, according to the indicative timeline.
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Nick Duigan, Tasmania's Minister for Energy and Renewables, highlighted the significance of increasing renewable energy generation, stating, “Increasing our renewable energy generation will help ensure Tasmania continues to have the lowest power prices in the nation.” The approved solar project contributes to the broader renewable energy landscape, positioning Tasmania as a key player in sustainable power generation.
