Joint media release: Riverina to shine in energy transformation

The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Senator Deborah O'Neill, Senator for New South Wales

The Albanese Government is putting regional Australia at the heart of the nation’s energy transformation, by investing in the giant Walla Walla Solar Farm in southwest NSW.

Around 250 jobs will be created during construction of the 300-megawatt facility, which is located 40km north of Albury-Wodonga.

The project has received $100 million in debt finance from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). It will help deliver around 600,000 solar panels with total capacity to supply more than 100,000 NSW homes and businesses.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the Walla Walla Solar Farm, which will be the state’s third biggest, would boost the local economy.

“The Albanese Government is working to ramp up renewable energy generation, and the Walla Walla Solar Farm will provide great opportunities for Riverina businesses and create 250 local jobs,” Minister Bowen said.

“To be built on 605 hectares leased from two landowners, the facility will sit close to transmission lines that can transfer power to and from Victoria and South Australia.

“Renewables are the cheapest form of energy, and this project will put cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy into the grid.

“Australia will need to install more than 60 million, five-hundred watt solar panels by 2030 to achieve our emissions reduction targets. There are more than half a million panels in this project alone, and we have many more in our sights.”

These investments will also be complemented by the Albanese Government’s Capacity Investment Scheme which will drive new renewable dispatchable capacity and ensure reliability in Australia’s rapidly changing energy market.

The Government is working closely with the CEFC to make Australia a renewable energy superpower, with many projects slated for regional Australia to boost local economies.

This solar farm will provide lucrative procurement and services opportunities for Riverina businesses in fencing, civil works, land management and hospitality.