Victoria approves 450-MW solar farm with four-hour battery

Victoria’s government on Wednesday said that construction can now start on the Hazelwood North Solar Farm project, the largest solar farm in the Australian state.

The project has secured a planning permit approval for a 450-MW solar farm with a provision for a 450-MW, four-hour battery energy storage facility with a capacity of 1,800 MWh.

The AUD-651-million (USD 434m/EUR 393m) project supports Victoria’s renewable energy generation targets of 65% by 2030 and 95% by 2035.

“The Latrobe Valley has been the home of Victoria’s energy generation for decades and our nation-leading targets are helping solidify its role in our renewable energy future – this project will deliver 500 local jobs and power 150,000 homes,” said Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio.

The project proponent is Manthos Investments, which has hired Robert Luxmoore Pty Ltd and Cogency Australia Pty Ltd to handle the planning application.