Bulli Creek Solar Farm still on the cards

THE company behind a proposal to build one of Australia’s biggest solar farms near Millmerran says the plan is still on track.

THE company behind a proposal to build one of Australia's biggest solar farms near Millmerran says the plan is still on track.

The proposed Bulli Creek Solar Farm would have an initial capacity of hundreds of megawatts, with the possibility of major expansion down the track.

To put that in scale, a 300-megawatt solar farm could power roughly 75,000 Australian homes when the sky is clear and the sun is shining.

The available footprint covers 5400ha of grazing land 35km west of Millmerran, meaning there is plenty of space for staged growth.

A 3D rendering of the proposed Bulli Creek Solar Farm near Millmerran. Picture: Contributed

Solar Choice managing director Angus Gemmell has spearheaded the project since its inception.

He said several hurdles still needed to be jumped before any construction could begin.

In particular, studies by Powerlink Queensland must determine how much extra energy can safely be accepted by the existing Bulli Creek substation - one of the largest in the country.

"We hope to have those studies lodged and completed within 12 to 16 months, and the (Toowoomba Regional Council) planning approval to run its normal course," he said.

"All things going well, it could have (council) approval within six months."

If the solar farm could eventually expand to produce a million megawatts per year, it would effectively abate more than 1.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

The Bulli Creek substation is connected to the main electricity line linking Queensland and New South Wales.

Originally published as Bulli Creek Solar Farm still on the cards