Balranald is set for a construction boom - at least for 12 months - after the NSW Government approved a solar farm that has the potential to be the largest in the southern hemisphere.
A Chinese company, Maoneng, in partnership with Australian concerns, was given the green light to build the Sunraysia Solar Farm, about 17km south of Balranald.
A second solar power farm, Limondale, is also flagged for the area and if approved would make Balranald the biggest solar electricity producer in the southern hemisphere.
Solar farms are being planned and approved apace as the Federal Government unleashes its renewables fund and with renewable energy targets fast approaching.
Some solar farms have been built and become operational within 12 months in Queensland.
The NSW Government said the Sunraysia solar project in Balranald once complete could become the largest solar farm in the southern hemisphere.
Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said the project would power more than 76,000 homes and boost local employment with 250 construction jobs.
“NSW has outdone itself in large-scale solar. The Sunraysia Solar Farm will have capacity for 200 megawatts of energy, twice the size of Nyngan Solar Farm – the largest operating solar farm in the Southern Hemisphere,” Mr Roberts said.
“The state already has three operational solar plants in Nyngan, Moree and Broken Hill. Together they are generating sustainable power for 76,000 households, with a combined capacity for more than 200 megawatts of renewable energy.
“NSW is continuing to lead with solar research and innovation, and we are maximising investment under the national renewable energy target of 23.5 per cent by 2020”.
Maoneng has already built a solar farm in Canberra, at Mugga Way.
Maoneng said it has “a strong track record for financing, developing and delivering solar energy projects in Australia”. “We have worked with strong partners such as Fortune 500 company AVIC International Holding Corporation,” it says on its website.
Balranald Shire Council deputy mayor Alan Purtill said council had little input into the project and had “not seen the DA”. Council was over the moon about the project, he said. And so are Balranald’s motels, with construction expected to start early next year, all motels are looking at having the “no vacancy” sign blaring throughout 2018.
Balranald is the tribal home of the Mutthi Mutthi people. It was named Balranald in 1848 by the crown lands commissioner for the lower Darling, George James McDonald. Balranald means 'an abode of Ranald', which the commissioner took from his birthplace in the Outer Hebrides. It can now be called the ‘abode of the solar farms’.