Woodside clears 500MW solar farm approvals

Woodside Energy has cleared a regulatory hurdle to build its proposed 500-megawatt large-scale solar farm and battery energy system near Karratha.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby approved Woodside’s proposal to build an up to 500MW solar photovoltaic farm and battery energy storage system at the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area on Friday.

Up to one million solar panels would be constructed on the total development envelope of 1,100 hectares alongside supporting infrastructure.

Once built, the facility would generate electricity for industrial customers through Horizon Power's North-West Interconnected System.

In September, the Environmental Protection Authority announced it had recommended approval subject to conditions to mitigate impacts on flora, fauna, foraging vegetation and Aboriginal heritage.

"Woodside was pleased to receive the Ministerial statement for the proposed Woodside Solar Facility project, pursuant to the WA Environmental Protection Act 1986," a Woodside spokesperson said.

"The statement is a key factor that supports the project’s target to be final investment decision-ready in 2023."

Fortescue Future Industries, Yara International, Hexagon and Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers have been approved as proponents for the industrial area by the state government.

Woodside's propopsed project is still subject to other approvals including from the federal government.