The ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury opened the Williamsdale Solar Farm on Thursday.
The new farm is close to the ACT border with New South Wales, approximately 20km south of Canberra. It will power the equivalent of approximately 3,000 homes. It will also help the territory reach its target of using 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2020.
Mr Rattenbury said the clean power generated by Williamsdale Solar Farm was another step towards achieving the renewable electricity target in the ACT.
“Williamsdale Solar Farm is now the fourth large-scale solar farm built in the ACT,” he said. “As with the other projects, the Williamsdale Solar Farm also brings many other economic and research benefits to the region.”
ACT now has a ‘solar highway’
The Williamsdale Solar Farm has almost 36,000 photovoltaic panels mounted on a single-axis tracking system. This system keeps them facing the sun as it moves throughout the day. It also improves solar panel efficiency by up to 30 per cent.
Consequently, the Williamsdale Solar Farm will prevent approximately 17,250 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
The new facility joins ACT solar farms in Mount Majura, Mugga Lane and Royalla.
The four farms generate 85,500 MW hours of electricity annually, enough to power over 11,000 homes. Together, they also form Canberra’s ‘solar highway’. This stretches from the Monaro Highway south of Canberra to the Majura Parkway in the north.
“The ACT is establishing itself as a world leader when it comes to investment in renewable energy and action on climate change,” Mr Rattenbury said.
According to the government, renewable energy brings around $500 million in investment into the local economy.
ACT on track for zero emissions by 2050
Mr Rattenbury added that by 2020 the ACT will produce 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar. As a result, by 2050 it will produce zero net greenhouse gas emissions.
The opening of the Williamsdale Solar Farm came as the Climate Council released a report on Australia’s renewable energy sector.
The report claims “political inertia” is the only barrier preventing Australia from revamping its ageing power grid with renewable energy.
“The nation’s leading energy experts, scientists and major authorities are all in agreement,” said Climate Council Chief Executive Amanda McKenzie.
She said Australia is “ready to switch to a modern grid” powered by renewables and home battery storage.
