Privately-owned startup Pilbara Solar will have to wait until later this month to find out whether it can proceed with its $25 million solar farm proposal in the state’s north-west, after a meeting of the planning body was postponed.
The Junja Solar Farm is earmarked for 25.6 hectares of a 396ha lot off Great Northern Highway, 26 kilometres east of Port Hedland.
The 10-megawatt solar farm comprises 30,000 mounted solar panels, two modular inverter units, a substation, and a storage shed.
The site, which is deemed Crown Land, is subject to a long-term lease agreement between the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the Jinparinya Aboriginal Corporation.
According to the application, Pilbara Solar has signed a sublease in agreement with the department and Jinparinya Aboriginal Corporation in order to progress the solar farm.
The proposed solar farm is tipped to provide more diversity and energy efficiency for the region, and specifically the Jinparinya Aboriginal Community.
It is also expected to be more cost effective.
The Town of Port Hedland has backed the proposal, recommending the Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel approve the development subject to a suite of conditions.
A final decision on the development application was due to be made this morning, but the JDAP meeting was postponed.
The JDAP is expected to consider the application at a meeting later this month.
