Solar future at Wunghnu

A solar future is on the cards for Wunghnu after French renewable energy powerhouse Neoen brought its ambitious energy proposal to Moira Shire Council.

The council last night voted to approve a planning permit for a large-scale solar farm at Wunghnu.

Clean energy: A solar farm at Parkes, NSW
run by French renewable energy company
 Neoen, which plans to build a similar
large-scale operation at Wunghnu.

If the ambitious plan goes forward to the construction stage, 350 000 solar panels will be placed at the solar farm, which will provide 100 megawatts of clean and green energy to the grid.

According to council documents, Neoen chose the site due to its easy access to the electricity grid and the hours of sunshine the area regularly gets.

The proposal was not without detractors, with the council receiving five objections from nearby landholders who were concerned about possible changes to nearby roads, impact on native plants and animals, and the visual impact on the area.

One of the objections has since been withdrawn.

The council has put forward 58 conditions to the solar farm, which include vegetation buffers, firebreaks and other environmental considerations.

The proposed site, which is located 3 km to the east of Wunghnu, covers an area of 517 ha.

Neoen has said it anticipated construction to begin next year.

The French company, which was founded in 2008, has projects in countries including Mexico, Egypt, Jamaica and El Salvador.

It recently made global headlines when the company partnered with Elon Musk’s Tesla to supply a 100 megawatt battery to help improve South Australia’s power problems.

Comment has been sought from Neoen.

Barclay White’s story in today’s Shepparton News - “Solar future at Wunghnu.”