In yet another boost for our regional economy, today Western Downs Regional Council has approved the largest solar project in the region to date.
Luminous Energy construct a 300 megawatt solar farm between Miles and Chinchilla, creating 400 local jobs during construction and five ongoing operational positions.
The wide open plains of the Western Downs will be home to one of the largest solar farms in Australia, with Council green lighting Luminous Energy’s application to build a 300 megawatt (MW) station near Columboola
The project will be built over three stages and create 400 construction jobs as well as five ongoing operational positions
The solar farm will be built around Ryalls and Kerwicks Roads, approximately 10 kilometres from Miles, and is set to cover 540 hectares
Expected to take 18 months to construct (subject to market demand), the massive 300 MW solar station has the capacity to power approximately 110,000 homes
This is the fourth large scale green, clean, renewable development to be approved by Council for the region, firmly cementing the Western Downs as the Energy Capital of Australia
The Western Downs is now the perfect place for the establishment of associated renewable energy industries such as solar maintenance, and we’re open for business.
Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Planning and Environment Councillor Andrew Smith believes this project signals an exciting and prosperous future for renewable energy development in our region.
“Once completed this solar station will be one of the largest in Australia, equal in size to most conventional power stations,” Cr Smith said.
“It’s a massive project, not only in terms of economic benefit and local job creation but also in the flow-on business development opportunities for associated renewable energy industries,” he said.
“This is the fourth large scale solar project to be approved in the Western Downs, making our region the place of choice for the establishment of renewable energy industries.
“We’re serious about being known as the Energy Capital of Australia, and we’re open for business.
“Council processed this application in just seven weeks, so the message is clear — if you’re looking to invest in green, clean, renewable energy, talk to us first.”