Ark Energy has completed its report on the Richmond Valley Solar Farm after issues came from the community during public exhibition.
The issues relating to the development application and environmental impact statement include visual and noise impacts, biodiversity, bushfire risk and changing land use.
An Amendment Report has also been completed with changes made to reduce impacts and improve constructability.
These include:
- Changes to the perimeter fence.
- Updates to the size, model and number of inverters for the battery energy storage system (BESS).
- Updated location for the switching substation.
- Revised transport route for oversize vehicles.
- Updated solar panel design.
- Change to the size of the area for the connection point.
- Reduction in the development footprint from 803 ha to 789 ha.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure will now complete its assessment and decide on the go-ahead for the Richmond Valley Solar farm near Myrtle Creek, about 7km east of Rappville.
Final approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 is required from the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The site of the solar farm at Myrtle Creek is on land that was previously used for private forestry, and is close to the transmission network, with the Coffs Harbour to Lismore 330 kV powerline intersecting the northwest corner of the site.
The Richmond Valley Solar Farm has a potential generation capacity of up to 500MW and a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a power capacity of 475MW and storage capacity of up to 2200MWh over eight hours.
For more information about the project telephone 1800 731 296 or email info@richmondvalleysolar.com.au.
This article appeared on indyNR.com on 6 July 2025.
