Lightsource bp, and 50:50 JV with bp, has secured planning approval for upscaling plans for the Wellington North solar project, which was acquired from AGL last year.
The 400MWdc site is adjacent to Lightsource bp’s near-complete 200MWdc Wellington solar farm. Once operational, the 600MWdc hub could become the state’s largest renewable energy power hub.
Adam Pegg, Country Manager – Lightsource bp Australia said: “We are very excited about the planning approval of our Wellington North solar farm; this is an important step forward in our ambition to help Australia transition to a lower-carbon future. In a few years, our 600MWdc Wellington solar hub will be producing 1,173,000MWh of renewable electricity – the equivalent to powering 170,000 Australian homes – saving 938,000 carbon emissions annually.” Lightsource bp’s Wellington North solar farm will use 1.2m bifacial solar panels – contributing to NSW’s ambition to increase its share of renewable energy to more than 60% by 2030 while also playing a critical role in helping bp meet its net-zero ambitions.
Economic opportunities despite COVID-19 challenges demonstrate the reliability of solar. Despite the global challenges of COVID-19, solar power continues to demonstrate its resilience and reliability.
The solar farm will provide direct economic stimulus in Wellington by creating 400 local employment opportunities during construction. Wellington North is the latest to join Lightsource bp’s portfolio of solar projects in Australia designed to help the country meet its renewable energy goals while also lowering power prices and benefiting local communities. Since partnering with bp in 2017 and entering the market in 2018, Lightsource bp has developed a significant pipeline of large-scale solar projects across Australia. Together, Wellington North, Wellington, West Wyalong and Woolooga solar farms exceed over 900MWdc and once operational, will make Lightsource bp one of the largest solar developers to own and operate in Australia.