WORK on a $290 million solar power project began at Nyngan today.
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Installation of the first solar photovoltaic (PV) modules at the nation's largest utility-scale solar plant was great news for the area, said Bogan Shire Council Mayor Ray Donald.
"There are 80 employees at the site now, and they anticipate about 200 once it's going full-steam ahead," Cr Donald said.
Minister for Western NSW Kevin Humphries and Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy Leslie Williams said the first installation was a key milestone in the construction of the $290 million Nyngan Solar Plant.
"Building a strong renewable energy industry is vital to improving our environment, supporting employment and helping to grow the NSW economy," Mr Humphries said.
"The installation today of the first of the approximately 1.35 million advanced thin-film solar PV modules that will make up the Nyngan Solar Plant is a momentous occasion that truly confirms NSW's claim to be leading the nation in the development of renewable energy.
"Once up and running, the Nyngan Solar Plant will produce enough renewable electricity annually to supply more than 33,000 homes."
Cr Donald said the size of the plant would be something to behold once it was finished.
"If they put the 1.35 million solar panels flat on the ground back to back, it would stretch from Nyngan to Uluru," he said.
The NSW government has contributed $64.9 million towards the development of the 102 MW Nyngan Solar Power Plant and its sister site at Broken Hill by AGL Energy Ltd.
Mrs Williams said the project would play a vital role in contributing to the state's energy needs.
"NSW has vast solar resources and has long been a standout leader in photovoltaic research; we are now taking the next step and becoming a standout leader in the in renewable energy development," she said.
"The contribution of this project to Nyngan and Western NSW cannot be overstated," Mr Humphries said.
"This development will create jobs, provide thousands of households with affordable, renewable power and inject around $137 million into to the local economy."
Roderick Makim
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
