Merriwa Energy Hub
Solar Farm & BESS
550MWac utility-scale solar PV project with attached 400MW BESS.
Scheduled for completion in 2025, Merriwa Solar Farm is a utility scale solar photovoltaic (PV) farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Merriwa in the Hunter Region of New South Wales.
Following some preliminary consultation close to the site and along the site access roads, we are preparing a concept layout and collating some preliminary data on construction traffic volumes, noise, visuals etc with the intention to share these with the community and seek early feedback.
This is currently expected to take place in July.
Our commitment to a brighter future.
The solar farm will generate approximately 550MWac of electricity, which is enough to power more than 140,000 homes and will have an additional attaching BESS that stores approximately 400MW of energy.
550MWac
solar power
400MW
battery power
1,300,000
solar modules
18 mths
construction period
500
jobs created
140,000
homes powered
Powering the entire region, and some more...
Merriwa Solar Farm involves the development of a utility scale solar photovoltaic (PV) farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) near Merriwa in the Hunter region of New South Wales
The Merriwa Solar Farm and BESS would provide the following benefits, specific to Australia’s commitments
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions required to meet our clean energy transition
Additionally, the proposal would allow for the:
- Provision of embedded electricity generation, to supply into the Australian grid closer to the main consumption centres
- Provision of social and economic benefits, through the provision of direct and indirect employment opportunities during construction and operation of the project
Importanly the Merriwa Solar Farm project will line up with the closure of traditional fossil fuel powered energy generation plants in the surrounding region, like the Liddell Coal Power Station. The timing will help the transition from coal to clean energy generation.
The Merriwa Solar Farm site is located around 12 km south of the Merriwa town centre and around 150 km north east of Newcastle, within the Upper Hunter Shire Council Local Government Area (LGA). The site is located abutting the existing 550kV high voltage transmission line to the south.
The Merriwa Solar Farm site comprises a footprint of around 800 hectares of private freehold and leased land from 868 - 1244 Flaggs Road Merriwa. Please see site footprint map below.
This preliminary layout provides for up to 550 megawatts peak AC (MWp) of solar panels and 400MW of battery storage.
Given the capital cost of the project, its development application will be assessed by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment (DPIE).
In this context, a Scoping Report for the Merriwa Solar Farm and BESS will be lodged with DPIE in October 2021.
Once the Scoping Report is assessed, DPIE will issue SEARs which will outline the requirements for an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Studies undertaken will include
- Heritage (including Aboriginal heritage);
- Visual amenity;
- Noise assessment;
- Hazard assessment;
- Soils and water;
- Traffic assessment;
Project progress
Development Application
- Lodgement
- Public Exhibition
- Final Assessment
- Grid Studies
- Construction Tender
- Financial Close
- Construction
- Energised
Community Benefits
Engagement with the local community is an important value of Maoneng and is integral to this project. We would like to ensure that open dialogue and information transfer can occur with local residents, stakeholders and the wider community in an easy and efficient manner.
We would like to ensure that there is no “surprise” to the community and that a long-term relationship is maintained between the project team and all project stakeholders.
Further details
Maoneng is an Australian owned renewable energy company focused on development, delivery, operations and long term ownership of utility scale solar and battery assets, critical for powering a sustainable world.
Maoneng pride themselves on being early embracers of technology and market innovations. Investments we have made in broadening our focus to the battery sector have been recognised in the AGL contract for 400MWh of battery storage in NSW.
Maoneng’s have delivered over 300 MW of solar energy solutions and have a development pipeline comprising of approximately 2000 MW of utility scale solar and battery energy projects across the APAC region.