A PROPOSED solar farm just north of Bathurst will produce enough energy to power almost 100,000 homes and create more than 230 jobs during construction, the company behind it says.
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French renewable energy company Neoen, which owns and operates solar farms at Dubbo, Griffith, Coleambally and Parkes, has plans to make an investment of more than $200 million in the project at Eglinton.
The company says the proposed solar farm will be located on a private property on Thomas Drive at Eglinton, off Eleven Mile Drive, approximately six kilometres north of the Bathurst CBD.
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And it says it has a "no surprises" approach to its projects, so will be holding an informal drop-in session in just over a week.
The project has a name, the Windradyne Solar Farm, but Neoen says community members will be able to suggest and vote for different names.
Neoen said the 200 megawatt project will "deliver affordable, reliable clean energy for NSW consumers, enough to power approximately 97,000 homes".
The company said more than 230 jobs are expected to be created during the construction period, which will last approximately 12 to 18 months, and there will be a small, permanent local team of approximately five to eight staff once the facility starts operating.
Project manager Anne Frederic said the project was still in the very early stages of development, but the company was keen to introduce the community to the plans.
"Community drop-in sessions are a great way to keep the community informed, meet members of the project team, ask lots of questions and take an information booklet home for friends and family," she said.
"Community members will also have an opportunity to suggest a different name for the project and vote for their preferred name.
"Neoen has a 'no surprises' approach to its projects and will provide regular opportunities for input and updates as the project progresses.
"We welcome people's feedback through our online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/windradynesolar."
Neoen said the Windradyne Solar Farm will establish a Community Benefit -Sharing Scheme "which would deliver benefits for the lifetime of the project" and the company is seeking people's ideas and input into the design of the scheme.
Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, the Windradyne Solar Farm community drop-in session will be held on Thursday, June 18 from noon to 5pm at The Church Block Cafe on Alexander Street, Eglinton.
Drinks and refreshments will be provided.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, Neoen will concurrently host a virtual community drop-in session for community members who are unable to or do not feel comfortable to attend in person.
Project posters will be displayed in the Church on June 16, 17 and 19 from 8am to noon for community members wishing to view project information in their own time, according to Neoen.
The company says coffee vouchers will be available at the café at these times for community members to enjoy a free coffee while viewing the posters.