Queensland’s Western Downs Regional Council has approved the largest solar energy project in the region to date, one that will create 400 local jobs during the construction phase.
The facility will be constructed near Columboola, between Miles and Chinchilla. Covering 540 hectares, the solar farm will generate an estimated 640,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity per annum; enough to power approximately 110,000 homes.
The 300MW clean power station will avoid approximately 518,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions each year.
In addition to the hundreds of jobs during construction, five ongoing operational positions will also be created.
This is the fourth large scale renewable energy project to be approved by Council for the region.
Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Planning and Environment Councillor Andrew Smith says the approval signifies Council’s commitment to the region becoming the energy capital of Australia and that it is “open for business”.
“Once completed this solar station will be one of the largest in Australia, equal in size to most conventional power stations,” stated Mr Smith.
“It’s a massive project, not only in terms of economic benefit and local job creation but also in the flow-on business development opportunities for associated renewable energy industries,” he said.
Demonstrating it walks the talk, Council took just seven weeks to approve the application.
Construction of the facility is expected to take around 18 months.
Other major renewable energy projects to be built in the region include a 30MW solar farm near Dalby, another at Kogan, and one in Chinchilla.
In September last year, Council also called for expressions of interest for the design and installation of solar power systems on council facilities across the region; including swimming pools, nursing homes, galleries and libraries. Its investment of more than $800,000 in these projects is expected to slash Council’s electricity costs by $175,000 per year.
Council is also investing $300,000 towards solar technology at the new Chinchilla Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Western Downs Regional Council manages an area of more than 38,000 square kilometres. The region is home to around 33,000; with the largest population center being Dalby.
Solar power is very popular with the residents of Dalby, with an estimated 1132 solar PV installations in Dalby’s postcode, 4405, totaling 4281.36 kW of capacity.
