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SOLAR farm developer ESCO Pacific will work with energy company AusNet Services to advance the Horsham Solar Farm project.
ESCO Pacific announced plans last year for a 130-megawatt farm next to the Horsham Terminal Substation in the Riverside area.
Head of development Allison Hawke said the company believed the Horsham project was strong, and had put it forward for the Victorian Renewable Energy Target Auction Scheme.
The scheme aims to ensure 25 per cent of the state’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.
Submission closed on Friday, and the government will award commercial contracts to successful applicants in July.
Ms Hawke said the Horsham development – estimated to be worth about $160 million – was ideally located next to the substation, on flat land and free from environmental constraints.
“ESCO Pacific were very happy with the level of interest and support in the project from Horsham Rural City Council and the community,” she said.
“Over the coming months we will continue to work with AusNet and construction contractors to advance the project towards financial close.
“There is still a lot of work to do before we reach construction.”
ESCO Pacific hosted an information session about the farm in September.
Council approved a planning permit for the project in January.
The solar farm will cover an area of about 196 hectares, and house about 340,000 solar photovoltaic modules. These are identical to solar panels used for homes, but larger.
The solar panels will be installed on ground-mounted frames that will slowly track the daily horizontal movement of the sun.
