TE H2 has submitted its plans for one of Australia’s largest solar and battery storage project for environmental approval in the Northern Territory.
The Wak Wak Solar Farm, spearheaded by Darwin H2, is slated for construction approximately 48 kilometres south-east of Darwin. The project is a joint venture between global energy giant TotalEnergies and Eren Groupe, operating under their dedicated renewable arm, TE H2.
At full capacity, the solar farm is expected to generate up to 2.7-Gigawatt peak (GWp) of solar photovoltaic energy, supported by a six-gigawatt-hour (GWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
The primary goal is to provide affordable and sustainable power to existing industries in the Greater Darwin Region.
However, the developers have also flagged the site’s potential to generate renewable green hydrogen, aligning with the Territory’s goal of becoming a low-emissions energy hub. Located primarily within a perpetual pastoral lease, the project team has identified a 2,500-hectare disturbance footprint within a wider 3,400-hectare project area.
To balance development with conservation, the plan includes 900 hectares of dedicated wildlife corridors that Darwin H2 will manage. The proposal emphasises a precautionary approach to environmental impact.
Through extensive ecological surveys, the project has already identified avoidance areas to protect, including known Aboriginal sacred sites, high-quality, significant vegetation and threatened flora, critical habitats for threatened species, and flood-prone areas.
The project lifecycle is expected to span decades, with the referral covering everything from land clearing and construction, to ongoing maintenance and potential repowering after 30 years.
At the end of its operational life, the proponents have committed to full decommissioning and site rehabilitation. With the project in the concept design stage, the referral marks the start of the assessment process.
If approved, the Wak Wak Solar Farm would be among the most significant renewable energy infrastructure projects in Northern Australia, securing Darwin’s place in the global clean energy transition.