Media Release
01 December 2024
The $500 million Northern Midlands Solar Farm is a step closer to reality with the signing of key terms for a power agreement between TasRex and Hydro Tasmania.
The 288-megawatt (AC) development at Connorville will be Tasmania’s largest solar farm with the state’s fourth-largest generation capacity, after the Gordon and Poatina hydropower stations and the Tamar Valley Power Station.
Hydro Tasmania’s commitment to buying the energy generated by the solar farm is a significant milestone.
TasRex CEO, Bess Clark, said with local government development approval secured and technical studies well underway, the development was on track for completion by 2027.
“We are thrilled that Hydro Tasmania has demonstrated its confidence in TasRex and the Northern Midlands Solar Farm through agreeing solar power purchase key terms”, Ms Clark said.
“This transformative project redefines the possibilities for solar energy development in Tasmania, and is an important step towards Tasmania’s 200% renewable energy target”.
“It is exciting to think that this land will soon be generating enough power for 70,000 homes, while still supporting sheep grazing for high quality wool production”.
“The TasRex team, with landowner Roderic O’Connor, has been working hard to realise this ambitious project, engaging closely with surrounding landowners and the local community. That engagement will continue as we progress the project”.
“We are a Tasmanian company that takes our environmental and social responsibility incredibly seriously and the interactions and feedback we have received through this process have been critical”.
“We are excited about the benefits this project will bring to Tasmania, enabling more local clean energy and supporting local jobs for decades to come”.
TasRex is pleased to be partnering with Birdwood Energy (“Birdwood”), an Australian specialist investment manager in the renewable energy sector with a strong engineering-led investment capability. Birdwood will support TasRex to develop, fund and deliver Northern Midland Solar Farm.
Birdwood founder and Managing Partner Scott McGregor said, “We see the North Midlands Solar Farm as a significant renewable energy project in transforming Tasmanian energy supply and we are pleased to be partnering with the experienced TasRex team to develop this project and provide a unique opportunity to our investors”.
Ms Clark said it was hoped construction would begin by 2026, following the finalisation of landowner agreements, detailed design, contractor selection, transmission network connection arrangements and financial arrangements.
TasRex is an integrated renewable energy company with plans to deliver up to 5 GW of onshore and offshore renewable energy opportunities across Tasmania.
Last year TasRex signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tasmanian Government, emphasising a commitment to projects that deliver benefit back to the Tasmanian community and contribute to the state’s 200% renewable energy target.
In addition to building new solar and wind farms, TasRex is focussed on leveraging Tasmania’s renewable energy advantage and new technologies to meet growing global demand for clean fuels, including green ammonia production.
Northern Midland Solar Farm Facts
Capacity: 288-megawatt AC, 373-megawatt DC
Capital value: ~$500 million
Carbon saved: 104,000 tonnes of CO2 per year
Homes powered: 70,000
Jobs: 370 direct jobs in construction and 11 ongoing jobs when operational
Media enquiries: Michael Stedman, Timmins Ray Public Relations 0438 631 399