The Australian government has approved a large-scale solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) in Muswellbrook, New South Wales, in a move set to bolster the state’s renewable energy capacity and support the transition from coal to clean power.
Spanning 482 hectares, the development will generate enough electricity to power up to 60,000 homes.
The project was fast-tracked through approval in just 40 business days, following assessment by the New South Wales government under an existing bilateral agreement with Canberra.
The facility will feature a 135-megawatt (MW) solar farm, comprising 300,000 solar panels, and a 135 MW battery system capable of delivering up to two hours of energy storage.
Once operational, the system will be connected to the existing Ausgrid 132 kV transmission line, delivering renewable energy directly into the grid.
Crucially, the project has been designed with strong climate benefits in mind.
The Muswellbrook solar and battery hub is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 300,000 tonnes annually, the equivalent of removing around 90,000 passenger vehicles from Australian roads.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the approval highlighted the government’s commitment to repurposing former coal mining sites as part of the clean energy transition.
“The development is ideally located adjacent to and within the site of the Muswellbrook coal mine resulting in a fast approval time and minimal impact to the environment,” Minister Watt said.
He noted the project’s significance as part of the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone, one of several across New South Wales that are being developed to harness renewable resources at scale.
“Since 2022, the Albanese government has given the green light to 97 renewable energy projects – enough to power more than 11 million Australian homes,” Minister Watt said.
“We’re producing record renewable electricity, and we are on track to transform Australia into a renewable energy superpower.
“This project will keep jobs in the local community and deliver reliable, renewable energy to local homes and businesses.”
The Muswellbrook development marks another milestone in Australia’s clean energy transition, reinforcing both state and federal targets to accelerate the shift to renewables while creating regional opportunities in areas once dominated by coal.
With approvals now finalised, construction is anticipated to begin later this year, offering both immediate employment benefits and long-term gains for the region’s energy security.
