Powering the Future with Clean Energy

Welcome to the official website for the Boree Solar Farm, a proposed solar farm development located north of Geurie and east of Wongarbon in Central-West New South Wales. The Project will contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for the region and beyond.

Project overview

Boree’s positive impact for generations to come.

The Boree Solar Farm is a proposal by Venn Energy to construct, operate, and decommission a 250-megawatt (MW) Direct Current (DC) solar photovoltaic (PV) farm with a 200MW 4-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Located near Geurie and Wongarbon, within the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area, this development will contribute to the transition to renewable energy in the region and the State.

Key Features:

  • Photovoltaic (PV) development with a capacity of up to 250 MW DC
  • 200 MW / 800 megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS
  • Connection to the existing 132kV network
  • New 132 kV collector substation

The Project’s Scoping Report is available on the NSW Government’s Planning Portal.

BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT

  • Clean Energy: Generating enough renewable energy to power approximately 96,000* homes per year
  • Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, corresponding to approximately 11,450,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over the Project operational lifetime (30 years). The reduction in carbon emissions would take approximately 159,000 fuel-powered cars** off the road each year.
  • Economic Growth: Creation of jobs during construction and operation, and support for the local economy.
  • Grid Stability: The inclusion of a BESS in the project will enhance the flexibility and resilience of the national electricity network as the transition from non-renewable to renewable energy sources continues.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and contribution to a cleaner environment.
*The average annual electricity consumption per household in New South Wales is 5.662 MWh, according to the Residential Energy Consumption Benchmarks – Final Report for the Australian Energy Regulator, published on 9 December 2020.**According to NSW Climate and Energy Action, an average light vehicle in New South Wales emits approximately 2.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

PROJECT PARTNERS AND VALUES

Venn Energy Pty Ltd is an Australian renewable energy company currently developing a portfolio of 2 GW of solar and energy storage projects nationwide. 

The Boree Solar Farm is being led by Venn Energy’s experienced team, with decades of combined expertise in renewable energy development and delivery. The project is being developed under the NSW State Significant Development (SSD) regime, ensuring compliance with the state’s rigorous planning and environmental standards. 

To support the project’s success, Venn Energy has engaged a range of independent specialists to carry out detailed environmental, technical, and cultural assessments. These assessments play a critical role in ensuring the project is developed responsibly, with respect for local values, community input, and environmental guidelines. 

Why does Boree matter?

The Boree Solar Farm is expected to deliver a range of positive economic outcomes for the local community, including: 

  • Community Benefit Sharing Program: Venn Energy is committed to establishing a Community Benefit Sharing Program, underpinned by annual financial contributions from the project over its expected 30-year operational life. Further updates will be provided as the structure and allocation of the program are finalized. 
  • Local Job Creation: The construction and ongoing operation of the solar farm will generate employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers, including contractors and local service providers. 
  • Local Procurement: The project will engage a wide range of local businesses to supply goods and services, including accommodation providers, hospitality venues, machinery operators, construction trades, surveyors, security and cleaning services, training providers, building suppliers, and waste management contractors. 
  • Training and Education: The project will support training opportunities for local tradespeople and apprentices, and will explore partnerships with local schools to provide educational engagement related to renewable energy and sustainability. 

Venn Energy has selected the proposed site for the Boree Solar Project based on a combination of practical, environmental, and technical factors that make it well-suited for solar energy development: 

  • Excellent Solar Resource: The site is located in an area with consistently high solar irradiation, making it ideal for generating renewable energy. 
  • Proximity to Existing Infrastructure: An existing transmission line runs through the site, allowing for direct grid connection. This eliminates the need for new transmission infrastructure beyond the project area. 
  • Previously Disturbed Land: The site has been heavily disturbed by agricultural use, including cropping. This reduces the need for further land clearing. 
  • Minimised Environmental Impact: The site’s size and layout allow for the development of a commercially viable solar farm while minimizing disturbance to remaining native vegetation and wildlife habitats. 

Australia’s national electricity grid is undergoing a rapid transformation to integrate more resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective sources of power – such as solar, wind, and hydro, supported by energy storage systems. 

Diversifying the energy mix is essential to securing affordable electricity for both households and industry, while also reducing the environmental and economic risks associated with fossil fuels and nuclear energy. 

The clean energy generated by the Boree Solar Farm will play a vital role in replacing fossil fuel-based electricity from nearby coal and gas power stations which continue to contribute to rising energy costs across Australia.  

Tackling climate change requires a rapid and sustained reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and renewable energy projects are central to achieving that goal. The Boree Solar Farm is part of the growing wave of clean energy developments driving the decarbonisation of local, national, and global economies. 

We are proud to contribute to Australia’s energy transition. The solar energy generated, stored, and delivered by the project will directly reduce carbon emissions, supporting the NSW Government’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. 

The project also aligns with the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which targets increasing the state’s renewable energy generation to over 60% by 2030. 

Public engagement