New plans for solar farm at former Highbury tip
Two years after the original plan fell over, there is a new push for a solar farm at a long-abandoned tip in Highbury.
North & North East
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Solar power specialist Joule Energy wants to convert a long-abandoned Highbury rubbish dump into a generating centre.
This follows a call late last year by the Highbury Landfill Authority (HLA) for Australia-wide expressions of interest in using the site.
The HLA is a consortium operated by Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Walkerville and Burnside councils.
Its latest report, issued in May, says the only viable submission came from “industry leader” Joule Energy, a subsidiary of Adelaide-based LMS Energy.
The company focuses on “the development of solar power generation systems, both on and adjacent to landfills across Australia”, according to its website.
HLA chairman John Minney told NorthEastern Weekly the authority had received a plan for a solar farm from Joule Energy.
“The site is being looked at for a solar farm,” Mr Minney said.
“(It will) be evaluated by the HLA board and the results of the investigation will be forwarded to the three councils for their comments and approval.
“But the board is of the opinion that this will be a satisfactory use of the site for some time.”
Inspections had indicated gas emissions at the former dump were “going down”.
The NorthEastern Weekly revealed in 2017 plans for a solar farm at the Halls Rd site, to be connected to the SA Power Networks grid.
Mr Minney said he was unsure why that plan fell through.
LMS Energy’s website says capped former landfills were the “ideal locations for solar development”.
“Solar generation systems on landfills, and adjacent buffer zones, provide an economically viable reuse for sites that may have significant clean-up costs and little potential for commercial or residential redevelopment. Installing such systems, does present a series of unique challenges,” its website reads.
“Joule ... has the essential knowledge and experience to safely manage the complications of interacting landfill gas and solar infrastructure.
“With a successful track record for designing and implementing seamlessly cohabiting landfill gas and solar power systems, Joule is an industry leader in this now emerging field.”
Joule Energy has been approached for comment.
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