Solar projects, also called solar farms, consist of a series of photovoltaic panels arranged in a ‘solar array’. These panels convert sunlight to electricity, with the generated direct current (DC) moving through cables to inverters. Inverters convert DC to usable alternating current (AC), which flows into an existing high-voltage transmission line that runs through the site.
As part of the Boree Solar Farm (the Project), it is proposed to construct, operate and decommission a solar photovoltaic (PV) development with a capacity of up to 250 megawatt (MW) Direct Current (DC), and a DC coupled (decentralised) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with an indicative capacity of 200 MW 4-hours (800-megawatt hour (MWh)).
The main components of the Project would include:
The project will connect directly into the existing 132kV transmission line that traverses the western portion of the Project Site.
If approved, the Project is expected to be operational from 2029 with a 30-year project life, after which it could be decommissioned or repowered, subject to the relevant planning approval.
Venn Energy Pty Ltd (Venn Energy) is an Australian renewable energy development company, founded by Canadian developer Venn Energy Inc., and Aira Group, an owner operator of renewable energy projects in Europe.
The Venn team represents decades of experience in the renewable energy industry. Venn Energy has 2 GW of project under development in VIC, NSW and QLD.
The Banksia Solar Project in QLD was the company’s first development asset in Australia. The project was started in June 2019 and received development approval from the Bundaberg Regional Council in January 2021 and connection agreement in July 2023. It is expected to begin construction in Q4 2025.
The Project is in the early stages of planning development.
The project team is currently preparing a Scoping Report, which will be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) as part of a request for the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the Project. This is the initial stage of the NSW planning assessment process. The Scoping Report will present the matters that are proposed to be assessed in the EIS in relation to the preliminary Development Footprint and the Project more broadly.
DPHI will then publish the Scoping Report and the SEARS on the NSW Government Major Projects website, which is publicly accessible and can be found at here once published – https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects
The scoping report will also be published on this website, once it is lodged and accepted by DPHI.
The Boree Solar Farm will have an estimated capacity of 250 megawatts (MW) and is expected to generate enough clean power for the equivalent of approximately 96,000* NSW homes.
The energy created through the solar farm will be stored within the BESS with an estimated capacity of 200 MW / 800 MWh to maximise electricity exported to the grid and assist grid management.
The Boree Solar Farm will help reduce the pressure on powerlines and improve security of supply.
As the electricity market is mainly driven by supply and demand, the increased supply in the market will stabilise electricity prices.
*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 is located approximately 21 km south-east of the regional centre of Dubbo, within the Dubbo Regional Council local government area. The closest localities are Geurie and Wongarbon. The six lot boundaries within the Project site cover approximately 1,322 ha.
The land within the subject site is zoned RU1 – Primary Production in accordance with the Dubbo Local Environmental Plan 2022.
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 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:
The Project is a large-scale solar energy development and is considered a State Significant Development (SSD). As such, it is subject to a comprehensive assessment that includes extensive community consultation and detailed consideration of any environmental, social and economic impacts. Further details about the process for assessing SSDs can be found here.
Once DPHI has reviewed the Scoping Report, SEARs will be issued, which will incorporate responses from State government agencies and Dubbo Regional Council, outlining the assessment requirements and the technical reports to be prepared by Venn Energy to support the Environmental Impact Statement, the next phase of the development planning process. her state significant solar developments would have similar assessment requirements.
Preliminary assessments including noise, social, visual and biodiversity impact assessments have been carried out to support the preparation of the Scoping Report in accordance with the Large-scale Solar Energy Guideline (DPE, 2022).
The following assessments are likely to be prepared as part of the EIS, subject to the SEARs requirements:
The NSW Government requires cumulative impacts of State Significant Developments (SSD) to be assessed as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
These requirements are described in the Cumulative Impact Assessment Guideline for State Significant Projects (DPIE, 2022) and will likely be specified in the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs), which are the minimum requirements for the EIS to be accepted by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).
Venn Energy will address the cumulative impacts of the Project as part of the relevant technical assessments that form part of the EIS submission.
Venn Energy has committed to a benefit sharing program to help support the local community, with annual contributions over the expected 30-year operational life of the project.
The Boree Solar Farm project team is committed to ensuring the economic benefits of the project are shared with the wider Geurie and Wongarbon regions in a meaningful and lasting way. Investing in local projects and initiatives that help create a sustainable and growing community is a priority for us.
Funding may include initiatives that support health and wellbeing, local skills development and training, education, population growth and retention, economic development, and sustainability of the natural environment, among others. Venn Energy’s intention is that the community benefit fund will support and further strengthen the positive legacy of the Geurie and Wongarbon communities.
The project would have several potential direct and indirect economic benefits for the local community. These benefits include:
A Bushfire Risk Assessment will be completed to accompany the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and will identify potential mitigation measures that may be required. Typically, Asset Protection Zones will be integrated as part of the Project layout to reduce fire risk. Additionally, a Bushfire Management Plan and Emergency Plan will be prepared, prior to commencing construction. Both Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Fire and Rescue NSW will be consulted with during the preparation of these documents.
The manufacturers of Battery Energy Storage Systems consider fire as part of the design. Typically, BESSs are enclosed with fire resistant material, ventilation and fire suppression systems. A Preliminary Hazard Assessment and Fire Safety Study will also be undertaken to accompany the EIS, again in consultation with RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW.
Research carried out by Dr Barron-Gafford et al (2016) in Arizona has been referred to in relation to the potential for solar projects to generate a ‘heat island effect’. This research submitted that solar projects could increase temperatures by three to four degrees Celsius and could adversely impact on surrounding agricultural production.
A subsequent report, prepared in 2018 by experts including Dr Barron-Gafford to provide additional information in relation to the heat island effect, concluded the following:
Within the perimeter of a solar array: Air temperature within the perimeter of a PV (solar) array is expected to increase three to four degrees Celsius compared to outside the solar array. However, the temperature quickly reduces with height and can be managed.
Outside the solar array perimeter: Temperatures dissipate quickly with height above the solar panels as the thermal energy radiates back towards the atmosphere. Barron-Gafford showed results that any spatial extent of the heat island effect has completely dissipated at 30 metres.
In summary, because the solar panels themselves trap the energy from diffuse sunlight that can reach the ground underneath them, air temperatures remain elevated within a PV array. Outside of this “overstorey” of PV arrays, energy can radiate back towards the atmosphere, as it does in a natural setting, and the heat island effect quickly dissipates.
The Boree Solar Farm does not propose to remove the understorey vegetation/grasses below the proposed solar arrays, such that the heat island effect within the project footprint would be minimised based on these site conditions only.
Yes, panel arrays will be adequately spaced, allowing the land to be used for agricultural purposes, such as sheep grazing. Livestock grazing has become a widespread practice in conjunction with renewable energy developments. This practice is known as agri-solar. Not only do livestock thrive in sheltered conditions but they also assist in maintenance of the Project site, keeping vegetation low and assisting with weed management.
The Large-Scale Solar Energy Guideline, Frequently Asked Questions (Guideline FAQ), published by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (2022), states the following in relation to the potential for solar panels to cause contamination (page 4):
“The metals in solar panels (including lead, cadmium, copper, indium, gallium and nickel) cannot be easily released into the environment. This is because metals such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) or cadmium sulfide (CdS) are enclosed in thin layers between sheets of glass or plastic within the solar panel. Because of this, the use of metals in solar panels has not been found to pose a risk to the environment. To readily release contaminants into the environment, solar panels would need to be ground to a fine dust.”
A Preliminary Hazard Assessment will be prepared as part of the EIS, this will consider hazardous materials, bushfire and electrical fire during the construction and operational phase of the Project.
To assess the water impacts, a Groundwater and Surface Water Impact Assessment will be completed as part of the EIS. The Groundwater Impact Assessment will consider impacts on groundwater resources such as groundwater levels, quality and contamination. The Surface Water Impact Assessment will consider changes in runoff patterns, erosion, sedimentation, water quality and water usage that would occur as a result of the Project. To manage and control the potential impacts, a Water Management Plan and a Sediment and Erosion Management Plan will be prepared.
To assess the soil impacts in relation to agriculture, an Agriculture Impact Assessment will be completed to support the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with Appendix A of the Large-scale Solar Energy Guideline (DPE, 2022). The assessment considers the existing land use including an evaluation of the soil quality and productivity of the land. Consideration is given to the potential short-term and long-term impacts on agriculture productivity and potential impacts to food production.
A Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Plan will be prepared post-approval which will stipulate how the Project Site, including soils, will be rehabilitated for agricultural land practices after the operational life of the Project.
As required for all renewable energy developments, post-development water flows must be equivalent to pre-development flows in terms of both water quality, path and volume. Extensive hydrology models will be developed for the site to inform the design process to ensure these objectives are achieved after construction.
Solar panels typically have a minimal footprint and can co-exist with agricultural practices. An Agricultural Impact Assessment will be completed as part of the EIS to determine the potential impacts to agriculture and mitigation measures will be identified where required.
Further, a Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Plan will be prepared which will outline how the Project Site will be rehabilitated back to the existing land uses after the operational life of the Project.
A Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) will be prepared as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in line with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. and Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Site surveys will be undertaken to determine the type and condition of any native vegetation within the Project Site, as well as identify the flora and fauna present, including threatened species. An evaluation of direct and indirect impacts of the Project on biodiversity will be completed with the identification of mitigation measures to avoid or minimise impacts. This assessment will be in accordance with the NSW Biodiversity Assessment Method and Biodiversity Offset Scheme.
The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment for the Project will be undertaken in accordance with the NSW Large Scale Solar Guideline Technical Supplement for Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment (DPHI, 2024).
The landscape character impact assessment assesses the potential impact on an area’s cumulative built, natural and cultural character or sense of place, where a visual impact assessment assesses the potential impact on views.
The Visual Technical Supplement recognises that visual amenity should be afforded some protections. However, it also recognises the fundamental principle that landowners have no proprietary right to or ownership of a view, and a visible solar array or ancillary infrastructure does not necessarily constitute a visual impact.
Changes to the rural and natural landscapes will be necessary to facilitate a transition to renewable energy and to support the development of the solar energy industry. The Visual Technical Supplement aims to achieve balanced outcomes that avoid and manage significant landscape and visual impacts while supporting this change.
The visual impact assessment will include a combination of:
Zone of visual influence
To determine the potential locations and dwellings in the area which may be able to see the solar farm.
Public viewpoint analysis
Assessment of potential impacts from public locations.
Detailed dwelling assessments
Where desktop analysis, modelling and site visits identifies dwellings they may have visual impacts. This may include undertaking photomontages at specific dwellings.
Assessment of impact significance
Assessing the sensitivity (e.g. dwellings have high sensitivity) and the visual effect (how much of the solar development can be seen) to calculate the overall potential visual impact.
Cumulative visual assessment
Considers other proposed developments in the area.
Mitigation measures
Proposed mitigation measures to reduce visual impacts if determined to be required based on the level of impact assessment (e.g. visual screening).
There will be minimal lighting associated with the Project with most of the lighting required for safety and security purposes. The lighting impacts will be assessed as part of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. The lighting proposed will be in line with the Australian/ New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4282:2019 – Control of Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting or the latest version at the point of construction.
The NSW Government has several guidelines and policies that must be addressed when assessing noise impacts of renewable energy projects. Detailed noise modelling will be undertaken, with the results to be included in a Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment. Modelling is undertaken for noise sources during day-time and night-time periods, noting that construction would be restricted to standard construction hours. Noise modelling will predict the noise levels from construction; operation including traffic movements of the Project and compare it with the allowable limits set by the NSW Government.
Several buffers or setbacks may be required to minimise impacts to both the environment and the community. These may include avoiding better-quality native vegetation or watercourses, moving Project infrastructure away from receivers to reduce noise impacts or the use of Asset Protection Zones to reduce bushfire risk. The buffers or setback distances will vary and largely be dependent on the outputs of the technical assessments undertaken as part of the Enviornmental Impact Statement (EIS). The design of the Project layout will be an iterative process, which will take any recommendations or constraints identified in the technical assessments into consideration to minimise potential impacts.
Renewable energy projects are not known to have significant impacts on surrounding property values.
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has released a fact sheet which concludes the following: ”Studies suggest renewable energy projects do not have ongoing negative impacts on nearby property values. In fact, research indicates a slight positive effect due to increased local investment and the perception of clean energy benefits.”
Venn Energy acknowledges that the primary asset for most families is their home and property. The relevant assessments will be completed as part of the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement to assess the potential impacts of the Project on surrounding properties and any potential impacts will be minimised through Project design and mitigation measures.
To date Venn Energy and Ethos Urban have undertaken several activities to begin the consultation process with the community, including:
Community feedback received during the early consultation process is being captured and key issues raised will be summarised within a dedicated Community Engagement section in the Scoping Report, which will:
As we prepare for the next phase of planning — the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) — we are working to develop an improved engagement approach that is more responsive to the needs and expectations of the local community.
Venn Energy is committed to consulting with project neighbours and residents on a regular basis. As we progress through the State Significant Development Application process we will be reaching out directly to local residents, as well as providing opportunities for project neighbours and the community to ask questions and share their feedback.
Details of the proposed engagement activities to be carried out during the EIS phase, which will help to inform the EIS and project design, will be included in the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan, which will be submitted as part of the Scoping Report.
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.
If the Project is approved, and final investment decision received, construction is proposed to commence in 2027 and would take approximately 18-24 months. Note this timing is subject to change.
Construction works would occur within working hours as permitted by law (generally weekdays from 7AM to 6PM and Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM).
A Construction Environmental Management Plan and/or Environmental Management Strategy will be required to be prepared prior to the commencement of construction. This strategy will be prepared in accordance with the development consent conditions, however it is typically required to:
Following the Planning Secretary’s approval, the Project owner will be required to implement the Environmental Management Strategy.
As part of the Environmental Impact Statement a Traffic and Transport Impact Assessment will be undertaken which will consider the current road conditions, road users and the potential impacts during the construction (and operation) phases of the Project. Mitigation measures will be identified to minimise potential disruption and enhance safety.
A Traffic Management Plan will also be prepared in consultation with Transport for NSW and Dubbo Regional Council prior to the commencement of construction.
A core principle of Venn Energy is that our projects shall always be developed and operated responsibly and ethically, and in alignment with the community and natural environment. Our industry-leading decommissioning regime is consistent with that principle, and our commitment to responsible stewardship for generations.
The Project owner is obligated to fully decommission the project at the end of its lifecycle and return the land to its original condition. To provide further assurance of our commitment to this obligation, we have put in place a decommissioning regime based on leading best practices across our industry.
This includes a decommissioning fund that will be funded by the project during its operational life, according to the results of a third-party independent assessment of the expected decommissioning costs at the time. The fund will be accessible by the host landowner to decommission the project if for any reason the project owner fails to perform any of its duties for decommissioning of the project.
The decommissioning regime does not release the project owner from its obligations to decommission the project at the end of its life. Rather it provides further assurance that the project owner fulfills this obligation, and moreover it provides peace of mind to the host landowner and the surrounding community that they will never bear the cost of decommissioning the project at the end of its lifecycle.
Advancements in recycling methods and technology have provided innovative ways to recycle a majority of the parts of large-scale solar energy systems today. We fully expect these recycling advancements to continue to improve over the coming years and decades, with innovative new ways to recycle the valuable materials in these systems, at a reduced cost. We will always prioritise recycling wherever possible and remain committed to low-impact sustainable development, in line with our core environmental values.
