Swedish renewables developer OX2 has received federal environmental approval to proceed with its 135-megawatt (MW) Muswellbrook solar and storage project in New South Wales, the company said on Tuesday.
The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) approval marks a key milestone for the project, which is located adjacent to the Muswellbrook Coal Mine, a site that ceased operations in 2022. The land is primarily owned by Idemitsu Australia.
Developed in partnership with Idemitsu, the project forms part of a broader strategy to repurpose former coal mining sites for energy generation and industrial use in the Upper Hunter Valley.
“This project is an early mover in re-purposing coal mines for energy generation and a test case for the Upper Hunter Valley’s transition,” said Catherine Way, Director of Development at OX2 Australia.
The Muswellbrook development, which has already secured planning approval at the state level, is OX2’s second Australian project to receive EPBC clearance. It follows the approval of the 90MW Summerville solar and storage project in July.
Stephen Symons, Country Manager for OX2 Australia, said the back-to-back approvals reflect growing momentum in the sector. “These approvals show the professionalism of the team and reflect the momentum of renewable energy in Australia,” he said.
OX2’s Australian portfolio currently includes 3.7 gigawatts (GW) of solar, wind, and storage projects in various stages of development and construction, with 390MW under operational management.
