Bairnsdale Solar Farm

BNRG Leeson is in the planning stage for a proposed solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) at a site on Anderson Lane, Bairnsdale. The site is 176 hectares and located 10.5 kilometres from the Bairnsdale township.

We are in the process of preparing a planning permit application, seeking project approval from the Minister for Planning, via the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). The application will include a full suite of reports assessing any potential for impact to the local environment and the community.

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Fast Facts (Approximate Figures)

97MW

DC Solar Farm

150MW

BESS System

20,000

Approximately equivalent household supplied with solar energy

180

People employed during peak construction

12

Ongoing employment post-construction for operation

About the Site

The site, strategically chosen by BNRG Leeson, is well-screened from public view and most neighbouring properties. Its proximity to a high-voltage transmission line allows easy power export with minimal new infrastructure. The location receives ample sunlight, making it ideal for efficient solar energy generation. The flat, clear land minimises environmental constraints, simplifying construction. The solar farm is sited and oriented in accordance with the Victorian solar farm guidelines. The land is predominantly a sand dune landform, which is not suitable for high-value agriculture. The layout has been drafted in consultation with DEECA and the CFA, and comprises a sizeable managed buffer of over 50m against the southern boundary with the reserve. BNRG Leeson will develop detailed site plans, considering all physical and environmental factors while engaging with local communities and authorities to ensure the solar farm integrates harmoniously into the region.

Development Timeline

Final timing depends on approvals from Council and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DECCA), final design, and availability of materials for construction. Below is what we are working towards:

2024

Before lodging the Planning Report, we are in early conversations with stakeholders about the proposed design and requirements.

November - December 2024

The planning application will be advertised, and the community will be notified. DTP will also refer the application to relevant government agencies and authorities for consideration and feedback.

Late 2025

Construction will commence

November 2024

We will lodge the planning permit application to be reviewed by the Minister for Planning and Planning Assessment Team within DTP.

November 2024 - February 2025

Following consultation with the local Government and other decision-makers, DTP and the Minister for Planning will determine the outcome.

Community

Diversified

Shared Benefits

This project will bring renewable energy to the region, enhance the local network, create jobs and stimulate the economy. Furthermore, with the generation and battery, it will stabilise grid stability issues that currently exist in the Bairnsdale and East Gippsland Region. In terms of shared benefits, the project will generate employment, apprenticeships, internships, jobs for minority groups, and procurement opportunities.

Diversified

Community Benefit Sharing

The value for community is tangible, and concepts for community benefit-sharing programs are currently under investigation.‍

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Submit your ideas for community benefit sharing >
Diversified

Protecting the Environment

We place a strong emphasis on minimizing any adverse impacts on the surrounding environment to meet our sustainable development goals. A thorough agricultural assessment has been conducted to understand the landscape and ensure the solar farm is designed in harmony with the local ecosystem.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How will this affect my community?
Do you consult with the community?
Impacts to Agriculture
What will happen to the project infrastructure at the end of the project life?
Will the project devalue my property?
What ground treatment is used for the panels?
Are there any emissions on pollution or radiation?

Download Files

Planning Documents will be made available, and project updates circulated, upon application lodgement.

Additional Resources

non invasive for livestock

Non-invasive for Livestock

Studies have shown that a solar farm won’t harm your animals, and panels can even provide shelter for livestock from harsh climates. When done in a controlled manner, sheep grazing around panels can be beneficial for solar farms, providing for land management and ground cover maintenance

Read Articles
construction in 100% reversible

Land can be reinstated

Solar farms sit lightly on the land. With the panels and racking mounted on a piling system, there is negligible concreting or civil works required. Solar farms have been shown to create an opportunity for land to regenerate, enhancing biodiversity and soil quality over time. At the end of the project life time, a comprehensive, auditable decommissioning plan is required to ensure the land is left in it's original agricultural state.

Read Article: Neoen to decommission DeGrussa solar and storage project

Screened by trees and hedges

Abundant natural screening

Additional vegetative landscaping has been incorporated at perimeter locations to further mitigate concerns. Low fire-risk landscaping species are to be used, and a full pest management scheme applied. The panels have been designed to absorbe light, and so there's minimal glare reflected. Solar Farms can be virtually invisible from a distance.

non invasive for livestock

A Quiet Majority: Australians in Renewable Energy Zones Support the Energy Shift

A survey by 89 Degrees East, commissioned by Farmers for Climate Action, reveals that 70% of residents in Renewable Energy Zones back clean energy projects on farmland, recognising benefits like increased farmer income, energy reliability, and local economic growth.

Read Article
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Suppliers

Do you own a business in Bairnsdale, Hillside, Forge Creek, or nearby areas? If you're interested in becoming our supplier, simply fill in the form below.

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Stay updated to the progress and information about Bairnsdale Solar Farm

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Early Engagement Activities

Project Update | Sept 2024

Community Information Drop in Session | Aug 2023

Community Newsletter | Aug 2023

Direct Neighbourhood Engagement

Talk to Our Team

To discuss this project further, please contact our team or fill out the following form, and we'll be in touch with you shortly.

bairnsdalesolarproject@bnrg.ie1800 244 863

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