About Winton Wetlands Solar Farm

When approved, the Winton Wetlands Solar Farm will be constructed on crown land approximately 1 kilometre east of Benalla in Victoria, within the Benalla Rural City Council area.

The proposed solar farm will consist of approximately 333,000 solar panels installed across the approximately 350-hectare site. The solar farm will generate enough clean, renewable energy to power approximately 67,160 Victorian homes . The solar farm will connect to the existing Glenrowan 220 kV overhead transmission line which crosses the site. The solar farm layout avoids most environmental constraints and will be designed to minimise the removal of native vegetation.

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PV Power: 60 MWAC
Battery Energy Storage System: 100MW/200MWh
Estimated Generation: 335,800 MWh/yr
CO2 emissions avoided: 268,640 tonnes of CO2e/yr
Site area: 350 hectares aprox.
System type: Solar photovoltaic panels with single axis tracking mount,
string inverters and a Battery Energy Storage System.

Committed to Shine

  • FRV Services Australia is the owner and developer of the Winton Wetlands Solar Farm project.

  • An application for Planning Permit is expected to be lodged with Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) in mid-2022. As the ‘responsible authority’, DELWP will assess our solar farm concept in accordance with the relevant land use planning requirements and policy.

  • FRV is committed to developing a reliable and safe clean energy asset for the region and to continuing community engagement throughout the project’s lifetime.

Bright Prospects

Winton Wetlands Solar Farm will deliver significant benefits to the region:

  • Construction will create significant job opportunities. FRV requires all contractors working on its solar farm developments to hire local contractors and utilise local suppliers wherever possible. It is estimated that around 150 workers will be required to construct the project.

  • During operations 4 to 5 ongoing operational roles will be created. Maintenance contracts for panel cleaning, fence repair, road grading, etc. would also be required and would likely be met by local contractors.

  • The employment benefits extend through the local supply chains to fuel supply, vehicle servicing, hotels/motels, B&B’s, cafés, pubs, catering, cleaning companies, tradespersons, tool and equipment suppliers and many other businesses.

  • Located on the transmission line between Glenrowan and Shepparton, the project will deliver clean, zero emissions electricity to meet the region’s energy needs and helps further the development of the NSW clean energy industry.

Powering The Future

  • Winton Wetlands Solar Farm will utilise state of the art solar photovoltaic panels mounted on a horizontal, single-axis tracking system that enable the panels to track the sun.
    This technology operates in varying daylight conditions including low light and cloudy weather and is extremely efficient for generating clean electricity with minimal noise, water consumption or waste.

  • The solar farm would consist of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels similar to those installed throughout Australia on residential and commercial properties.

  • The panels will be mounted on steel frames supported by driven piles that will create minimal disturbance to the land. This will allow sheep to continue to graze in and around them once the solar farm is operational.

  • Once complete, Winton Wetlands Solar Farm is expected to operate for up to 30 years.