Tasmania’s energy landscape is set for a significant transformation following a landmark agreement between renewable energy developer TasRex and state-owned utility Hydro Tasmania. The two have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) that secures the future of the 288 MW AC (373 MW DC) Northern Midlands Solar Farm, marking the state’s first large-scale utility solar project.
The deal provides the commercial certainty needed for TasRex to move forward with the AUD 500 million (USD 325 million) development. “The deal gives TasRex the confidence to proceed with this major development and deliver an important new renewable energy source to help power Tasmanian homes and businesses,” said Erin van Maanen, Hydro Tasmania’s acting CEO.
TasRex Partners with Hydro Tasmania for 288 MW Solar Farm
Slated for construction in 2026 and completion by 2027, the Connorville Solar Farm will be situated on a 600-hectare site at Connorville Estates, near Cressy. The project involves the installation of approximately 670,000 photovoltaic panels and will create around 370 jobs during its construction phase. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate enough clean electricity to supply roughly 70,000 Tasmanian homes.
Nick Duigan, Minister for Energy and Renewables, highlighted the project’s strategic value. “This is a significant project that will diversify our state’s renewable energy generation mix, support job creation and stimulate economic growth,” he stated, noting the state’s growing energy demand. This development is a crucial step in Tasmania’s strategy to achieve 200% renewable energy generation by 2040, complementing its existing hydro and wind assets.
A Transformative Agri-Solar Initiative
The Northern Midlands Solar Farm is designed as an innovative agri-solar project, integrating energy production with traditional farming. Roderick O’Connor, whose family has managed Connorville Estates for nearly two centuries, plans to graze around 2,000 sheep among the solar arrays, maintaining the land’s agricultural use.
Bess Clark, CEO of TasRex, described the venture as transformative. “This transformative project redefines the possibilities for solar energy development in Tasmania… It is exciting to think that this land will soon generate enough power for 70,000 homes, while still supporting sheep grazing for high-quality wool production,” she commented. The project’s dual-use model showcases a sustainable path forward for land use in the renewable energy sector.
Sources
- Northern Midlands Solar Farm – Infrastructure Pipeline
- Tasmania’s first large scale solar project to be built after landing …
- Bright Future for Northern Midlands Solar Farm – TasRex
- [PDF] 2025 Annual Report – Hydro Tasmania
- [PDF] public – Parliament of Tasmania
- Hydro Tasmania signs offtake deal for 288MW solar farm
- Tasmania’s first utility-scale solar PV plant gets go-ahead
