The Newstead Community Energy Project (aka solar farm) will be commissioned during the second half of 2024 (date TBC).
The inverter, solar panels and most of the tracking system have been installed. The large 5-megawatt battery and solar generation will be commissioned in May. However, the construction of poles and wires (distribution system) from current lines along the Pyrenees Highway to the farm has yet to be completed.
Renewable Newstead’s (the community group behind the innovative solar farm plan) spokesperson Gen Barlow said, “We have been working towards this for over nine years, ever since our community said it wanted to address our energy needs and emissions. For our volunteer group and our community, this is a very exciting phase.”
The site is situated at the corner of Captains Gully Road and Clarke Lane, 3 km west of Newstead. The panels cover about 20 hectares of the 73-hectare site. The land is currently grazed and this can continue. It will be leased from its owner for 25 years.
The solar farm will generate enough electricity to move Newstead towards 100 per cent renewable energy.
Details of the retail offer (electricity pricing) from the farm’s operator and energy retailer/seller, Flow Power, will be available in late April – early May.
There will be a Community Open Day on Saturday, April 27, from 10am to 2pm. This will allow locals to visit the site before operation begins and access becomes limited. Details of the open day will be provided in the TT [Tarrangower Times] in April.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 28 March 2024.
