Beryl Solar Farm

Project Overview

The Beryl Solar Farm is located approximately five kilometers west of Gulgong, NSW and will provide significant economic and environmental benefits, in addition to creating direct and indirect jobs and developing skills in a growing industry, and supporting small businesses.

Approximately 259,000 First Solar thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules will power the proposed 87 megawatt (MW) project and will produce enough solar energy to serve the needs of approximately 25,000 average NSW homes. This will displace more than 167,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per year — the equivalent of taking about 45,000 cars off the road.

First Solar is committed to the communities in which it operates and will strive to minimise environmental impact while maximising clean energy output. When in operation, our systems generate electricity with no water use, no air emissions, and no waste production, with the smallest carbon footprint of any PV technology available.

The Beryl Solar Farm supports Australia in its efforts toward providing 23.5 per cent of its energy from renewable resources by 2020, while further establishing regional NSW as a leader in renewable energy. Construction of the project has commenced and is on track for completion in mid 2019.

Project Benefits

Enough to power 25,000 average homes

• Displaces 167,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually—equivalent to taking 45,000 cars off the road

• Lowest environmental impact of any PV technology

• No water used for electricity generation

• Significant economic and environmental benefits for regional NSW

Community Commitment 

First Solar is committed to the communities in which it operates, including the Mid-Western Region. We will continue to engage neighbors, community groups, environmental groups and business organisations to ensure that Beryl Solar Farm remains a valued and respected member of community.

The Beryl Solar Farm will support the local and regional economy by creating direct and indirect jobs, developing skills in a growing industry, and supporting small businesses. It will generate approximately 150 construction jobs as well as ongoing full time positions. 

The project, through its Community Engagement Plan, is committed to reinvesting in the local community through the Beryl Solar Farm community fund, a managed development fund supporting community based initiatives, projects and events that target a range of community needs including environment, education, youth, social, culture, sport, recreation and economic development

Development Approval

First Solar received planning approval for the Beryl Solar Farm on the December 5 2017.

Full details regarding the determination is available to view on the Planning Assessments Commission’s website: http://www.pac.nsw.gov.au/projects/2017/10/beryl-solar-farm

Project Updates

On May 11 2018 a Notice to Proceed was issued to Downer for construction of the solar farm. It is expected Downer will mobilise to site in early July 2018. Some preliminary works will be completed prior to this date and we are currently forecasting all works to be complete by mid 2019.

The Beryl Road upgrade works have commenced and they are scheduled to be complete by July 2018. We have engaged Mid Western Regional Council to complete these works.

Council and the school bus provider have worked together to resolve the concerns raised regarding impact on the school bus stop at our recent community meeting and we understand a new bus stop will be established approximately 150m down Beryl Road.

Environment

First Solar projects strive to minimise environmental impact while maximising clean energy output. When in operation, our systems generate electricity with no water use, no air emissions, and no waste production, with the smallest carbon footprint of any PV technology available.

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