The Project

The Forbes Solar Farm would make a significant contribution towards the New South Wales net-zero emissions by 2050 target and would offset around 281,000 tonnes of CO-2 per annum.

The project would also include temporary infrastructure such as site buildings and material laydown areas, as well as operations and maintenance (O&M) buildings, staff amenities and parking, site office and amenities for operational use

Community benefits

The Forbes Solar Farm has a capital investment value of more than $30 million and is deemed a State Significant Development (SSD). It would bring significant investment to the local area during construction and would create jobs, diversify income, and increase revenue for local service providers such as food, fuel, and accommodation operators.

The project would generate around 120 full-time equivalent (FTE) construction roles and three FTE roles once the project is operational.

Once the project is operational, benefits would continue with long-term jobs, and the establishment of community benefit schemes.

Project status

The Forbes Solar Farm is currently undertaking technical assessments as part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phase of the State Significant Development (SSD) development application process. The objective of an EIS is to outline how a proposed project may affect various factors (such as environment, cultural heritage, social etc.) and allows the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) to assess the viability of a project. 

See below for more information on NSW SSD application process.

  • A Scoping Report is an initial step in the State Significant Development (SSD) process that outlines for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) a description of the Proposal and an early indication on considerations such as community views. 

  • SEARs are issued by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) in response to a Scoping Report, and specify what issues need to be addressed in the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).   

  • The objective of an EIS is to outline how a proposed project may affect various factors (such as environment, cultural heritage, social etc.) and allows DPHI to assess the viability of a project. 

  • Once the EIS is submitted, it is placed on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days for community and agency comment.

  • Following the exhibition period, the developer responds to all of the submission items via a Response to Submissions Report. 

  • Following the Response to Submissions Report, DPHI will make a determination on the Proposal, and will either approve or deny it. 

The proposed Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) would be located on approximately 354 hectares (ha) of private land, located 10km north of Forbes and 21km southwest of Parkes in New South Wales. The development footprint is located on RU1 (Primary Production) land, under the Forbes Local Environmental Plan 2013.

The Solar Farm would connect directly to the National Energy Market by cutting into the existing 132 kV high voltage powerline traversing the land.

The site is not located within a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). 

Forbes Solar Farm site