A community Information Drop-in Session will be held in Gulgong this month, providing the local community an opportunity to inspect plans and provide their feedback on the proposed 400-megawatt Stubbo Solar Farm.
The Community Information Drop-in session will be open to all community members. Special COVID Safety requirements will be followed for the session.
When: 2pm-7pm on Wednesday 28 October
Where: CWA Hall on Herbert Street, Gulgong
Members of the local community are invited to drop by anytime to meet the project team, ask questions and provide their feedback on the project.
An initial scoping report outlining the project has been submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) and work on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project has been taking place for the past year.
Feedback on the project has been sought from nearby landowners, local stakeholders, Mid-Western Regional Council and State Government agencies as part of this work.
A number of onsite surveys and environmental assessments have also been taking place including biodiversity surveys and Aboriginal heritage studies.
The project will be assessed as a State Significant Development under Part 4 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The project EIS will be submitted to the NSW DPIE who will review and exhibit it as part of the assessment process.
Project background
The Stubbo Solar Farm is being proposed across a study area of 1,750 hectares of mostly cleared grazing land about 10 kilometers north of the historic mining town of Gulgong. The actual development footprint sits across a smaller portion of the site, with other areas set aside as environmental exclusion zones to protect vegetation, waterways and significant Aboriginal sites.
It will generate more than one million megawatt hours of clean renewable energy from the region’s abundant sunshine, enough to power more than 150,000 NSW homes.
It is expected to create up to 400 jobs during construction and up to 10 full time jobs during its operational life, as well as work for local businesses and contractors
The project will be designed to maximise opportunities for sheep grazing alongside renewable energy generation, helping to provide additional income for rural landowners and the wider community.
A battery energy storage system is also being considered as part of the project to help provide electricity during peak periods and assist grid reliability across the network.
The project site is also within the NSW Government’s Central West Orana Renewable Zone, that is expected to help unlock 3,000 megawatts of energy generation and $4.4 billion in private capital investment.
UPC\AC Renewables Australia
The Stubbo Solar Farm is being proposed by experienced renewable energy developer UPC\AC Renewables Australia, as part of a portfolio of clean energy projects across NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
This includes the recently announced Valley of the Winds project located about 50 kilometres to the north, near the town of Coolah.
UPC\AC Renewables Australia is a joint venture between the UPC Renewables Group and AC Energy (a subsidiary of the Ayala Corporation.
Read more on our latest project fact sheet
Email our project team at stubbo@upc-ac.com