A new solar farm has been given the greenlight for construction on the Back Trundle Road, 10 kilometres north-west of Parkes.
Called the Quorn Park Hybrid Project it consists of photovoltaic (PV) modules, a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and related civil and electrical infrastructure.
The construction of the Quorn Park Hybrid Farm has an investment value of more than $190 million and will take an estimated 18 months, while the farm's operational life is of about 35 years.
Once up and running the 98 MW solar and 20 MW battery farm is expected to produce about 210 GWh per year in solar energy and 40 MWh per year in battery storage, powering roughly 45,000 Australian homes annually.
Pre-construction site studies and works occurred in late 2024, with the construction phase of the project expected to start in the coming weeks.
Development approvals for the project have been obtained from Parkes Shire Council and management systems will be in place to ensure compliance with all conditions covering construction, operation, decommissioning, and administrative matters.
Enel Green Power Australia (EGPA) will manage the construction of the project, appointing Beon Energy Solutions as the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor for the work.
EGPA says it is committed to a 'Creating Shared Value (CSV)' approach during the lifetime of the project.
It intends to work closely with the community to enhance the economic and social conditions in the local area, and proactively share benefits within the community.
"EGPA is also committed to local sourcing throughout the project’s operational and construction phases, where feasible," a spokesperson said.
It is expected the project will create significant local employment and supply opportunities during construction, EGPA said.
It plans to work closely with the main contractors to identify capability and capacity in the local area, the aim to maximise opportunities for local contractors and suppliers to participate in the project through the provision of goods and services to the project site and workforce.
"Beon will seek to employ a local workforce to support the construction of the project," the spokesperson said.
"Opportunities will include labourers, truck drivers, cleaners and plant operators."
The specifics of these roles will be made publicly available in early 2025 by recruitment agency Chandler MacLeod.
For more information visit www.jobsinsolar.com.au, or contact Chandler MacLeod at jobsinsolar@chandlermacleod.com.
Enel Green Power Australia, a joint venture company co-owned by Enel Green Power and INPEX currently operates four plants comprising 310 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity across South Australia and Victoria, and a 75 MW wind farm in Western Australia.
A 93 MW solar farm is also under commissioning in Victoria, alongside this hybrid project recently announced for NSW.