Almost 200 jobs will be created after the NSW government signed a contract with Neoen Australia for the creation of the Dubbo Solar Hub.
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The 24-megawatt solar hub will consist of farms in Narromine and South Keswick. It will generate enough energy to power about 10,000 homes per year.
Dubbo MP Troy Grant has welcomed the investment in the region.
“This project brings with it 175 jobs throughout the construction phase here in Dubbo, a fantastic boost for our local economy,” Mr Grant said.
Minister for Energy and Utilities Don Harwin said the solar project would provide huge benefits for the community.
“This deal will support jobs in regional NSW, boost our energy security and help the State Government meet our obligations under the Renewable Energy Target as a large energy user,” he said.
“This lays the foundation for more renewable energy procurement, which will deliver more power supply for the state and put more downward pressure on prices.”
The contract, which commences on 1 July 2019 and expires 31 December 2030, will meet 15.6 per cent of the government’s Renewable Energy Target.
It’s one of five projects in NSW to secure a share of $34.9 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s large-scale solar funding round last year.
“ARENA’s funding for projects like this one and others in Glen Innes, Griffith, Parkes and Manildra highlights the growing importance of the NSW solar industry’s role in ensuring we have secure, sustainable and affordable energy,” Mr Harwin said.
The largest solar project in the Southern Hemisphere is expected to start construction at Balranald, in the Riverina region, early next year.