WestGen has received a two-year extension to complete its proposed $140 million Byford Solar Farm in Oakford.
WestGen has received a two-year extension to complete its proposed $140 million Byford Solar Farm in Oakford.
The Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel unanimously approved the request for a time extension to construct the solar farm on Abernethy Road.
The solar farm is expected to generate 30 megawatts of electricity connected to the Byford substation through underground cables.
Electricity would then be distributed to about 20,000 homes in the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.
The JDAP granted approval to build the solar farm in 2016, with a condition attached for completion within two years.
However, the applicant received a two-year extension in 2018 and again in 2020 when the state government imposed an automatic extension due to COVID-19.
The shire's development services director, Andrew Trosic, confirmed the applicant would need to start construction by December this year or the original approval would lapse.
Harley Dkystra, on behalf of WestGen, proposed to change the condition for the solar farm to be completed within two years from the start of the construction instead of two years from the approval date.
According to the responsible authority report, the project has a capital cost of $140 million as of April.
Adjoining land owner Garth Mounsey said the applicant had six years to do the project but residents had seen nothing.
“The proponent has also said they can get this constructed in two years," he said.
"This company has had plenty of time to get this project under way, yet there hasn’t been one thing started on the land."
It was also revealed in the meeting that the applicant had not obtained the building permit to start the development.
However, Mr Trosic said the applicant understood the original deadline was fast approaching.
"That's the position the applicant has certainly advised us. They indicated they are ready to get the project underway," he said.
"We actually asked them about that December 2022 timeframe, they indicated they had no concern with that.
"Given the latest commencement can be December of this year, the latest completion is December 2024."
WestGen director Richard Harris said the company had a long-term off-take agreement with Wesfarmers/Kleenheat to buy all the power from the project.
"In terms of the project itself, we are on track to commence construction towards the end of this year," he said after the meeting.
"The 37.5MW solar farm will now have four hours of battery storage (150MWhr), which will make it only slightly smaller than Synergy’s big battery at Kwinana (200MWhr).
"The battery storage will provide support to the grid at peak energy demand times in the morning and late afternoon after the sun goes down."
Acting JDAP deputy presiding member Lindsay Baxter said the site had a bit of history with residents concerned the project had not proceeded, but she was willing to trust the applicant's words to Mr Trosic.
"Nevertheless this is an administrative tidy up from the previous history of approvals," she said.
"We’re giving it the benefit of the doubt to some extent."
