A number of renewable energy projects proposed for Northern Tasmania are still some time away from being built, but optimism from energy companies about the region's potential to support the developments remains high.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Epuron has plans to construct a solar farm at George Town, while George Town Council has given Low Head Wind Farm Pty Ltd the go-ahead to take the next steps in getting its project off the ground.
With a capacity of up to five megawatts, the George Town Solar Farm, to be located on a 12-hectare site at Soldiers Settlement Road, also has the green light from the local council to enter its pre-construction phase.
IN OTHER NEWS:
One of Epuron's executive directors Martin Poole has previously said delays to local renewable projects were arising from uncertainty around when the proposed Marinus Link interconnector could come online in Tasmania.
Mr Poole said he couldn't give an estimate on when construction would begin on the solar farm and that conversations with potential customers were ongoing.
"The purpose of commercial discussions is to settle on a price and a length of agreement that both parties can live with," he said. "Customers ... might be businesses or it might be a retailer."
"[George Town is] among the sunniest bits of Tasmania.
"The land is clear, there's no vegetation that has to be affected and we've looked for land that has good proximity to the existing grid to keep the cost of connection down - and obviously that flows to keeping the cost of the power down."
Epuron also has plans to build a solar farm with a capacity of up to 12.5 megawatts at Wesley Vale, as well as wind farms at Western Plains, St Patricks Plains, Hellyer and Guildford.
One of Low Head Wind Farm Pty Ltd's two directors Shane Bartel said his company's development would have a capacity of 42 megawatts, with its 10 turbines generating a capacity of about 4.2 megawatts each.
Since the council approved the development in March last year, the company has been working with Goldwind - as its preferred turbine supplier - to finalise design requirements, which Mr Bartel said would lead in to the beginning of the construction phase.
"In order to commence construction, we will need to complete our connection strategy with TasNetworks and ensure that all connection assets fully comply with the existing permits and the National Electricity Rules," he said. "We anticipate this will be completed within 2020."
Goldwind's 48-turbine Cattle Hill Wind Farm is set to begin generating power this Friday. Its capacity will be 148.5 megawatts.
Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
