Summary
This is the company’s fourth solar development project in NSW which has been granted Development Approval by the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in 2020.
The project, which will introduce a further source of clean energy and supply up to 90,000 NSW homes and businesses, was considered by the IPC as part of the State Significant Development Approvals scheme.
This is the first large-scale solar farm to be approved following the passing of the NSW Government’s ‘Renewable Infrastructure Roadmap’ – a plan to encourage up to $32b in private clean energy investment.
Overview
Community value
Walla Walla Solar Farm will stimulate economic investment in renewable energy and provide flow-on benefits to the local community, through job creation, capital investment and substantial contributions to Council for community enhancement projects.
The Walla Walla Solar Farm project will boost the local economy by creating around 250 construction jobs and will lift investment in local services such as fencing, civil works, land management, hospitality and accommodation. The estimated capital value of the project – $400 million – is 2.5 times more than the current annual construction output of the Riverina region.
FRV has developed local funding plans to provide sustainable returns and benefits to the local area via a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with the Greater Hume Shire Council.