The first sod has been turned at the first major solar and battery project to connect to the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone, the REZ that will help deliver the clean energy transition for a region known as the coal centre of New South Wales.
Global renewables developer OX2 announced the start of construction at the Muswellbrook Solar Farm and Battery project on Friday, checking off a major milestone for the Sweden-based company’s first owner-operator project in Australia.
The 135 megawatt (MW) solar and 100 MW, 200 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) is being built adjacent to the Muswellbrook coal mine, which ceased operations in 2022, on land owned by mine operator and project co-developer Idemitsu Australia.
The solar and battery project was one of nine around Australia to be signed up to power purchase agreements with web giant Amazon, in April, as part of a 430 megawatt (MW), $A2.8 billion buy-up.
“Today’s sod turning marks the beginning of construction on a project that demonstrates how Australia’s energy transformation can deliver lasting benefits for regional communities,” OX2 Australia vice president Stephen Symons said onn Friday.
