/ABOUT THE PROJECT

/ Overview

Venn Energy is developing the Boree Solar Project in north of Geurie and east of Wongarbon, near Dubbo in New South Wales. The proposed development will include a solar farm plus Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which will occupy approximately 1,322 hectares.

If approved, the Boree Solar Project is expected to be operational from 2029 with a 30-year project life. Once operational, Boree will generate enough clean energy to:

  • Power up to 96,000 NSW homes
  • Avoid the generation of approximately 600,000 tonnes per year of carbon dioxide (CO2)
  • Reduce emissions equivalent to that produced by approximately 159,429 vehicles each year
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the environment – equivalent to the burning of approximately 303,030 tonnes of coal per year
  • The BESS would maximise electricity exported to the grid and provide reliable energy by stabilising the grid and shifting the supply of electricity from times of high supply and low demand to times of low supply and high demand
*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.

The Project site boundary of the proposed Boree Solar Farm is shown above. The Project site comprises the following six lots: Lot 3 &29 DP754316, Lot 1 & 2 DP1024417, Lot 3 DP1076441 and Lot 242 DP850329.

Site selection & constraints assessment
Q4 2024 

Scoping report
Q2 2025

Environmental impact statement
2025 – Q4 2026

Development approval
Q2 2027

Grid connection agreement    2027

Construction
 2028 – 2029

Operation
2030 – 2060

 Decommissioning
2060 – 2061

/ Why has this location been chosen?

The greatest challenge for selecting where to develop new solar farms is identifying areas within the electricity grid with available capacity to connect. Once an area of the grid has been identified with capacity, planning experts assess the viability of the area based on various opportunities and constraints such as ecology, transport arrangements, landscape value, cultural heritage significance, agricultural land value, hazards, amenity impacts, etc.


Venn Energy has chosen the proposed site as an ideal place for a solar farm for the following reasons:

  • The site is in an area of excellent solar exposure.
  • The site has an existing transmission line, allowing for easy connectivity to the grid.
  • The site has already been largely cleared of native vegetation and heavily disturbed by previous agricultural activities, including cropping.
  • The proposed layout allows for the minimal disturbance of native vegetation and wildlife.

/WHAT IT MEANS FOR NSW

power produced
0 MW
homes powered
0
carbon dioxide saved per year
0 t

/ State Significant Development (SSD) Process

The Boree Solar Farm is considered a State Significant Development (SSD). This designation means that the Project will undergo a thorough assessment process managed by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). 

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