Magpie Hill Solar Farm
Project Status
Development
Indicative Capacity
360 MW solar farm
1,440 MWh BESS
Local Government Area
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Location
Southern Tablelands, NSW
Mint is proposing to develop a solar farm with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located 6 km south west of Tarago and 17 km north east of Bungendore in the Southern Tablelands region.
We are currently investigating an area of about 750 hectares for the new solar farm. The final footprint of the Project will depend on planning and environment considerations, grid requirements, the selected technologies and feedback from stakeholders and community. The Magpie Hill Solar Fam could have an approximate capacity of 360 megawatts (MW), with an associated 1,440 megawatt hour (MWh) BESS.
The site will likely be accessed by Bungendore Road and Mount Fairy Road.
The proposed Project is strategically located to contribute meaningful new solar generation where the state needs it most, supporting NSW’s transition to clean energy.
A key factor influencing the site’s selection is its close proximity to the existing 330kV overhead transmission line, which allows for efficient grid connection and keeps any new transmission requirements to a minimum.
Solar could power 127,000 homes in the region. When the BESS on site is fully charged a 1,440MWh BESS has enough energy capacity to supply over 500,000 homes in NSW for 4 hours .
Project Location
Project Updates
We are in the early stages of development, including undertaking a range of technical studies that will inform the siting and design of the Project. Development of a solar farm typically takes one to two years and undergoes a comprehensive planning and environmental assessment process to ensure the Project’s potential impacts are minimised and appropriate mitigation measures are in place before construction can begin.
The Magpie Hill Solar Farm will go through a rigorous planning and environmental assessment process to ensure impacts are minimised and managed during construction and operations. The Project will be required to obtain a development consent, under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). It is expected that the Project will be assessed as a State Significant Development (SSD). All development applications (DAs) for State Significant Developments must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), with extensive community participation.
We will engage with the relevant local councils, landowners, neighbours, First Nations peoples and surrounding communities as early as possible, keeping people informed and involving people in decisions that they are able to influence.
Community & Benefits
We strive to be active and caring neighbours, dedicated stewards of the environment, and create meaningful, lasting benefits for the broader community.
We know that for our projects to be successful, we must work closely with our stakeholders, including landholders, project neighbours, First Nations peoples and the broader community.
Consultation
Feedback is an essential part of project development. There will be opportunities for community feedback to help shape the Project. In late February, we’re hosting community drop-in sessions to share Project updates, outline the studies we’ll undertake, and seek input on aspects of the Project that can be influenced. Feedback will help us understand the local context, inform the Project’s design and construction, guide how we communicate, and help identify meaningful ways to share benefits with the host community.
Join us at local drop-ins!
Join us at our upcoming community information drop-in sessions to learn more about the Project and meet our Project team.
Tarago
Thursday 26 February: 4.30 – 7.30 pm
Friday 27 February: 9.00 – 11.00 am
Saturday 28 February: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Tarago Town Hall, 18 Wallace Street
Bungendore
Saturday 28 February: 3.00 – 6.00 pm
Norah Starrs Community Centre, 2 Majara Street, Bungendore
Our planned pop-up at the IGA Bungendore will no longer go ahead. We’ll provide an updated location shortly.
We encourage anyone interested in the Project to sign up to our Project Newsletter to make sure they stay up to date with the project, including opportunities to provide formal feedback during consultation.
Benefits
The Project will provide benefits through a boost to local and regional economy and local businesses and jobs during construction.
Mint will also develop other ways to share benefits of the Project, informed by engagement with stakeholders throughout the development phases of the Project.
Benefit sharing programs may include community funds and education funds, neighbour benefit programs, training and skills development or conservation actions.
Every project and community are different, so the way we share benefits is tailored to the region. The approach to benefit sharing will be shaped by feedback from the community and a clear understanding of local priorities, project constraints, and potential impacts.
Goods & Services Register
We are committed to employing local people and buying local wherever possible.
We are always on the lookout to build new working relationships in the industry and encourage you to register your services and/or business on our Goods & Services Register.
If you are interested in providing goods and services for the project, please register your interest here.
We’ll share project updates and information via our newsletters and our FAQs.
Resources
Stay up to date
We will communicate key project updates via our e-newsletter. Sign up below to subscribe to our e-newsletter distribution list.
Goods & Services Register
We are always on the lookout to build new working relationships in the industry and encourage you to register your services and/or business on our Goods & Services Register.
Get in touch
Feedback and questions are always welcome!
Please get in contact with us via:
1800 HI MINT (446 468)
magpiehillsolarfarm@mintrenewables.com
complaints@mintrenewables.com
Register your services and/or business on our Goods & Services Register.
Privacy Policy download here | Complaints Handling Procedure download here
Mint Renewables acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.