May 30, 2018
A 1500MW solar farm – the biggest planned so far in Australia – has been proposed for a site near Harlin.
Somerset Regional Council has confirmed it received a development application for the project earlier this month, which would built on a cleared 2055ha site east of Harlin on the D’Aguilar Highway if it is approved.
Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann told media the development application had been submitted by Ethos Urban planning consultants on behalf of Sunshine Energy Australia Pty Ltd.
The attractions of the site were its proximity to the existing high voltage power network, and closeness to Brisbane.
The development application also includes two substations, facilities for up to 60 employees and provision for battery storage.
The Council has referred the application to a number of relevant government departments and agencies for their input.
Mayor Lehmann said Somerset Regional Council would carefully assess the proposal against its planning scheme “just like any other”.
Somerset is currently home to the Splityard Creek hydro plant and the Wivenhoe pumped hydro power station, but has hosted no large-scale solar farms.
In 2011, a 400MW plant was proposed for a site near Kilcoy by Energy Makers.
That proposal was rejected by Somerset Regional Council in 2014 – a decision later upheld by the Queensland Ombudsman.
At present, the biggest solar farm in Australia is the 124MW Sun Metals facility that will provide one-third of the power needs for Sun Metals’ zinc refinery near Townsville in north Queensland.
Other solar farms of between 250MW and 1000MW have been proposed in Australia.
While several of these are being built, none are currently operating.
