Queensland’s Western Downs Regional Council is considering a 100 MW solar farm proposal.
The proposal from First Solar Australia is for a 264.2 hectare solar farm north of Chinchilla, according to a planning report provided to Energy Matters by council.
Chinchilla is part of the Darling Downs agricultural region and is known as the Melon Capital of Australia.
The Chinchilla Solar Farm proposal includes an eight to ten-month construction period, creating 200 jobs.
First Solar Australia hope to begin construction within 12 months.
Chinchilla Solar Farm proposal: built to last 30 years
The Chinchilla Solar Farm will be on a 642.9 hectare parcel of land bordering Butts Road to the north and Pelican Back Road to the east.
The project is anticipated to operate for approximately 30 years.
It will require up to five full-time staff to manage day-to-day operations and maintenance.
There are two homes 140 metres to the east of the project’s proposed solar array, and one 50 metres to the north.
First Solar Australia has applied to the Federal Department of Environment and Energy for a permit to clear 25 Chinchilla White Gums.
A further 95 of the vulnerable species will be left on site.
Columboola to host largest solar array in the region
In January 2017, Western Downs Regional Council approved the largest solar energy project in the region to date.
The facility is to be constructed near Columboola, between Miles and Chinchilla.
Covering 540 hectares, the solar farm will generate an estimated 640,000 megawatt hours of electricity; enough to power approximately 110,000 homes.
The 300 MW clean power station will avoid approximately 518,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
In addition to the jobs crated during construction, five ongoing operational positions will be created.
If the current proposal proceeds, it will be the fifth solar farm development in the region, along with:
- The 120 MW Darling Downs Solar Farm, near Dalby
- Luminous Energy’s 300 MW Solar Farm, near Columboola
- FRV’s 30 MW Solar Farm, near Dalby
- Eco Energy World’s 20 MW Solar Farm, near Chinchilla
