Ark Energy has announced that the state planning department has received the development application for a 500 MW solar farm and a 2,200 MWh battery energy storage system proposed for northern New South Wales (NSW).
Ark Energy Seeks Approval for Richmond Valley Solar Project
Ark Energy, the Australian subsidiary of the international metals group Korea Zinc has submitted the development application, environmental impact statement (EIS) and related technical reports for the Richmond Valley Solar Farm to the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
A 500 MW solar project with battery storage, generating 1,100 GWh of clean energy annually.
The Richmond Valley project includes a solar farm with an output capacity of up to 500 MW anticipated to produce around 1,100 GWh of clean energy annually. It also features a battery energy storage system with a power capacity of 275 MW and an energy storage capacity of up to 2,200 MWh enabling it to operate at full power for eight hours before recharging.
The Project Will Cost AUD 1.2 Billion (USD 790 million)
The proposed Richmond Valley Solar Farm will span 1,475 hectares near Myrtle Creek, approximately 25 kilometres south of Casino. The project is estimated to cost AUD 1.2 billion (USD 790 million).
Ark stated that the project area is well-suited for solar energy generation due to its excellent solar resources and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure.
“The location is well suited for solar energy generation. The land was previously used for private forestry and is relatively flat. There is an excellent solar resource close to the transmission network with the Coffs Harbour to Lismore 330 kV powerline intersecting the site's northwest corner.” Ark said in its scoping report.
Project to Connect to NEM via Transgrid for Revenue
The project will link to the National Electricity Market (NEM) through Transgrid’s power line, with revenue coming from electricity sales into the NEM and large-scale generation certificates sold to liable entities.
The battery energy storage system (BESS) utilizing lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) technology was among the successful projects announced in the third tender under the state government's Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
The project obtained a long-term energy service agreement (LTESA) designed to ensure revenue stability for private investments in new renewable energy projects as the state prepares to phase out aging coal-fired power stations.
Ark stated that the battery project is anticipated to be operational by 2028 with construction of the Richmond Valley project expected to take between 12 and 18 months. The project is also projected to create up to 200 jobs during the construction phase.