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
Venn Energy is proposing to develop the Boree Solar Farm (the Project) north of Geurie and east of Wongarbon, in Central-West NSW. The Project would have a targeted electricity generating capacity of up to 250 megawatt (MW) Direct Current (DC) and a targeted storage capacity of up to 800 megawatt-hour (MWh), utilising a DC coupled (decentralized) battery energy storage system (BESS) with an indicative capacity of 200 MW.
The Project site comprises six lots extending over an area of approximately 1,322 hectares (ha) within the Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area (LGA), New South Wales. The site is located approximately 4 km north of the village of Geurie, 4 km east of Wongarbon, 21 km south-east of Dubbo and 21 km north-west of Wellington.
The proposed Project Site is close to major transport routes, including the Mitchell Highway (bordering the southern edge) and borders several local roads; Albion Hills Road, Firbank Road and Westella Road.
Once operational the Project will produce 250 MW DC, enough electricity to power approximately 96,000* homes each year, and will use battery storage to feed electricity into the local grid at times of high demand or low supply to improve grid stability.
Construction for the Boree Solar Farm is expected to take around 18-24 months and is proposed to commence in 2027, subject to planning and grid connection approvals. Commercial operations are expected to commence in 2029.
*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 below. The Project site comprises the following six lots: Lot 3 &29 DP754316, Lot 1 & 2 DP1024417, Lot 3 DP1076441 and Lot 242 DP850329.
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). The SSD application process contains several steps:
Critically, these stages are underpinned by consultation opportunities for stakeholders to provide input on the Project.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has issued the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the Boree Solar Farm. You can view the SEARS on the Major Projects website.
The SEARs are based on the Scoping Report for the project, which was formally lodged with the Department in August 2025.
In the State Significant Development process, the SEARs are the Government’s instructions for what must be studied in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). They outline the key issues, such as biodiversity, traffic, noise, visual, water, heritage, and other matters – that the proponent must investigate and report on before the project can be assessed.
Environmental Impact Statement
The next phase of the proposed project will include a range of in-depth studies and technical assessments, followed by the preparation of a detailed EIS. The purpose of the EIS is to provide a detailed analysis of environmental, social and economic impacts and outline measures to avoid, minimise, or mitigate adverse impacts identified.
Importantly, the EIS also helps the community, local councils, agencies, and the approval authority to get a better understanding of the project and its impacts so they can make informed submissions or decisions on the merits of the project.
While detailed studies and technical assessments take time, we welcome feedback on the Project in these early stages of planning and design, this helps us understand the impacts on community and minimise or mitigate them where possible.
Statutory Consultation and Planning Application Determination
Once the SSD application is submitted, the EIS and technical reports and assessments will be made publicly available and displayed for 28 days allowing government agencies and local communities to make a submission (whether in support, neutral or an objection) to DPHI regarding the application within this period. Following this period, a Submissions Report and Amendment Report will be prepared to address the submissions received prior to the Project being determined.
The SSD application will be assessed, and a determination will be made by either the Minister for Planning or the Independent Planning Commission (IPC). In addition to the summary of the SSD application process provided above, we have also included a link from the NSW government which provides a comprehensive explanation of the assessment process applicable to SSD Applications: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/assessment/state-significant-development/ssd-process
It is noted that if development consent is obtained, it is likely that the mitigation measures identified and management plans proposed within both the EIS and Amendment Report, will form part of the consent conditions. Where required, management plans will be prepared and approved by the relevant authorities prior to either the commencement of construction or operation as appropriate.
Community Engagement
Venn Energy is committed to meeting – and where possible, exceeding – the NSW Government’s guidelines for engagement during the scoping and EIS phases of the Project.
Community engagement will continue throughout the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
A summary of the community issues raised during this phase of consultation and details of how the Project has responded to them will be included within the EIS.
