Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery
Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery is a proposed 300MW solar farm with co-located battery storage of 243MW and 2 hours storage capacity. The project is located in NSW, on pastoral land approximately 8km north-east of Bungendore, and 32km north-east of Canberra.
Key facts
Generating capacity of up to 300MW, which is enough to power up to 120,000 homes and businesses.
Approximately 600,000 solar panels located within >600 hectares of farmland.
Solar and Battery DC coupled hybrid design, will be the largest of its kind in Australia when built.
Agrisolar integrated design to improve lamb production and facilitate regenerative agricultural principles.
600,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided (equivalent to 300,000 petrol vehicles off the road).
Founded by local farmers
Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery was founded by local farmers with a multi-generational connection to the site and local community, together with a team of renewable energy experts. The characteristics of the project reflect their vision to co-locate regenerative agriculture with solar, engage in genuine community consultation and include the community in the project’s financial benefits.
The project aims to have renewable energy production co-exist with organic grass-fed lambs, regenerative agriculture, a soil carbon sequestration project and restoration of biodiversity.
In 2022, the founders partnered with Octopus Australia to turn their vision into reality, selecting Octopus for its proven success at the operational Darlington Point Solar Farm and Dulacca Wind Farm, as well as its commitment to expanding renewable energy assets in New South Wales and dedication to fostering meaningful, positive community relationships.
Community benefits
The project will offer significant economic benefits to the local community, including jobs during construction and operation, as well as flow-on effects to local businesses through the use of local services and amenities.
Also integral to the project is the Community Benefit Sharing Scheme (CBSS) and Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, which will bring over $2m of benefits funding to the community. The project was the 2022 recipient of the Clean Energy Council’s Community Engagement Award for its benefit sharing scheme and agrisolar initiatives.
About Octopus Australia
Octopus Australia is at the forefront of Australia’s green energy transition, deeply committed to supporting sustainable growth and community engagement. Since our entry into the Australian market in 2018, we have played a pivotal role in developing renewable energy projects across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Our significant projects include the operational 180MW Dulacca Wind Farm and the 333MW Darlington Point Solar Farm, which collectively generate over 1,315GWh of renewable energy annually.
As a part of our growing portfolio, the Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery project exemplifies our commitment to enhancing Australia’s energy landscape. This initiative not only supports the nation’s renewable energy targets but also integrates community engagement deeply throughout the project lifecycle.