Solar farm developers could be first of many in the region

The successful developers of Greater Shepparton City Council’s soon-to-be Mooroopna solar farm have been selected, but Mayor Dinny Adem says who it is remains under wraps.

He understood the corresponding proposal would result in a 10 to 15 megawatt facility.

Cr Adem said the decision was likely to be formalised at a forthcoming council meeting, but timelines were still unclear.

The mayor was confident the exciting development would be the first of many.

‘‘There’s a lot of other irons in the fire from other companies wanting to set up solar farms,’’ he said.

‘‘I think you’ll find in 10 years there will be about 20.’’

Cr Adem remained uncertain of the model proposed for the Mooroopna site, on former GV Link land.

Council chief Peter Harriott last month remained optimistic of the first sod being turned on the forthcoming facility this year.

Following an expressions of interest call out to parties interested in leasing land south of Mooroopna for a large-scale solar facility, the council moved to a limited tender process to develop the facility.

Council had hoped the development would be capable of producing a minimum of 10 megawatts.

Story from today’s Shepparton News.

Solar plant plan

With its proximity to Melbourne and ‘solar city’ potential, GV Community Energy chief executive Geoff Lodge believes the region holds an advantage in being considered for a proposal to power Melbourne’s tram network via solar plants.

Mr Lodge believes a Greater Shepparton City Council proposal to create a large-scale solar farm, now accepting expressions of interest, would be compatible with the Victorian Government proposal.

The government last week revealed Melbourne’s would be powered by a large-scale solar plant to be built in regional Victoria. It would run an open tender in the first half of 2017 to help build 75MW of new large-scale solar farms by the end of 2018, a statement said.

Read Thomas Moir’s story in The Shepparton News – “Solar plant plan.”