Birriwa Solar Farm secures conditional approval in New South Wales
The Birriwa Solar Farm in New South Wales has received conditional approval from the state’s Independent Planning Commission. Located about 15km south-east of Dunedoo within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, the project includes a 600MW solar farm and a 600MW/1200 MWh battery energy storage system, along with an on-site accommodation camp.
The solar facility is expected to generate enough renewable energy to power over 229,000 homes. The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure completed a thorough assessment of the project in May 2024.
Due to over 50 public objections, including one from the Warrumbungle Shire Council, the Independent Planning Commission took on the role of consenting authority. A three-member panel, led by Janett Milligan (chair) with Suellen Fitzgerald and Duncan Marshall, conducted stakeholder engagement, site inspections, and public meetings. They received 65 written community submissions and imposed several conditions on the project to address community concerns.
Conditions include restricting development vehicle access on certain roads, creating a soil and water management plan, developing an emergency plan, and implementing vegetation planting for visual screening. The applicant must also undertake environmental monitoring and management, including ongoing community consultation and an environmental management plan.
The panel found that the proposed site aligns with the strategic planning framework and will support NSW’s renewable energy transition. Earlier in 2024, Akaysha Energy secured an A$650 million ($438 million) deal for the Orana BESS project in NSW.