A small-scale solar farm on Newstead’s outskirts is still on track for completion by 2022, albeit, a downsized version.
After community consultation and feedback from the energy industry, the community group behind the project down-scaled it from 9 mega watts (MW) to 5MW.
Genevieve Barlow, Renewable Newstead volunteer, told the Tarrangower Times that the first stage of the farm would be 2.5MW with a battery to store energy and room to add a further 2.5MW of generating capacity. “2.5MW is enough to supply the community of Newstead and surrounds,” she said. “Then the option to add the next 2.5MW will be up to the company who builds and operates the farm.
“We have secured a suitable site on Captains Gully Road and Clarke Lane and have obtained a planning permit from the Planning Minister.
“We have spent a lot of time assessing our community’s needs by conducting regular community consultations and analysing people’s electricity bills. We found there are a number of people renting or living in ageing homes, meaning placing solar panels on individual houses wasn’t appropriate for everyone and it’s not as efficient,” said Genevieve. “A wind farm isn’t an option, there’s not enough wind here! We also looked at Hydropower at Cairn Curran but it was too far away and our feasibility study showed solar would be more efficient and suitable.”
The project is run by a group of dedicated volunteers with a range of expertise in business, PR, communication and project management.
Renewable Newstead is currently negotiating pricing with a potential electricity retailer, Flow Power, who would also build and operate the farm .
“It’s been really important to us to try and make the project local, ensure the electricity is competitively priced and commercially viable. We want the venture to be affordable to encourage people to opt in,” said Genevieve.
“It will be great when COVID-19 restrictions lift further to allow a community meeting. We’ve been holding meet-and-greet stalls outside the Newstead supermarket once a month to offer people the opportunity to come and chat with us, ask questions and find out more. The next meet-and-greet will be on Saturday 23 Oct and another on Saturday 27 November from 10am – 12pm in front of the Newstead IGA.
“We’ve generally had great support from our community and are always keen for feedback.”
To find out more visit renewablenewstead.com.au.
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This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 15 October 2021.
