He said NSW would increase its national lead in renewable solar power projects with 12 solar farm proposals, including what could be the largest in the southern hemisphere, now in the state planning pipeline.

Strangely, Roberts made no mention of the state’s extensive coal reserves, despite his knowledge of the sector from his former portfolio.

He said, in a statement, that new solar proposals could generate more than 1000 megawatts of solar capacity, enough clean energy supply to power 365,000 homes across NSW.

“The 1000 megawatts is on top of the 660 megawatts that will be generated by 11 other solar farms that the NSW Government has already given the green light since 2011,” Roberts said.

“We already have three solar plants in regional NSW that are online – Nyngan, Moree and Broken Hill. Nyngan is currently the biggest operating in the southern hemisphere, generating 100 megawatts for 32,000 homes.

“But the proposed Sunraysia Solar Farm near the Riverina town of Balranald would produce double the solar energy of Nyngan and is currently on public exhibition.

“NSW is continuing to lead with solar research and innovation, and we are maximising investment in order to reach the national renewable energy target of 23.5% by 2020.

 

“Our aim is for a secure, reliable, affordable and clean energy future and projects such as these are great opportunities that enable us to deliver on this.”