Newstead Solar Farm project is the result of over a decade of work of committed local community members engaging with their broader community about a unique local energy proposition.
Renewable Newstead Inc sought to implement a plan for switching to 100 percent locally generated, renewable energy in a commercially viable way, that would benefit everyone in the Newstead area.
In partnership, Renewable Newstead, Flow Power, and the then Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP), embarked on a ground-breaking initiative to produce renewable energy in Victoria. This initiative consists of a 3MW solar farm and a 5MWh battery energy storage system. The battery system will be able to provide power to the grid during low sunshine and outside daylight hours.
The project is located on a 6.2-hectare site, featuring 80-100m rows of panels with a tracking system to maximise energy production. The solar panels are installed 6m apart, ensuring the most efficient use of the land. The unique aspect of this project is the Direct Current (DC) coupled system, which is a first for Victoria.
Our team worked with Renewable Newstead and the local community from the early stages of site identification, guiding them through the planning approvals process and supporting them through to the commencement of construction.
It takes a village
We worked closely with Renewable Newstead to identify the ideal site for the project, lodging the planning application and ensuring that all necessary documentation was provided to the then DELWP Renewables team for an informed decision-making process. We assisted with community and agency engagement which was an integral part of the process, ensuring that clear and accurate information was provided.
During the planning phase, there were a number of submissions regarding the project. However, none of them wholly opposed the project, and most sought clarification regarding management arrangements around landscaping and fire protection, for example. This is a terrific result in itself.
Fi Cotter
Certified Green TM
The Newstead Solar Farm completed construction with the opening ceremony conducted in August 2024. Newstead local community will be able to buy renewable electricity from a local solar farm that is certified Green TM. This means that for every unit of electricity used, the Newstead solar farm will send clean energy into Australia’s grid on behalf of that household.
The successful completion of this project significantly contributes towards Victoria’s energy transition efforts, and the use of renewable energy will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the environment.
Contact Fi Cotter to learn more about community renewable energy projects.
