The Australian Government has approved the proposed Smokey Creek solar farm in Central Queensland.
The approval, according to the Federal Government, is another step towards its plan to make Australia a renewable energy superpower.
“Australia can be a renewable energy superpower, and projects like this help us get there. We have the right conditions, the technology, and the passion to make the most of these opportunities. It will help transform our economy and better protect our environment,” Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said.
“We know renewable energy is cheaper, cleaner and crucial to helping us cut emissions and reach our goal of net zero by 2050,” Minister Plibersek stated.
The Smoky Creek solar farm will generate over one million megawatt hours of renewable energy annually, enough to power over 200,000 households. It will also reduce carbon emissions by nearly one million tonnes annually, equivalent to removing 310,000 cars from the road.
Following an assessment under Australia’s environmental law, the project was permitted with strict conditions to safeguard the local environment and minimise damage to neighbouring land and waterways.
