SUNNYSIDE SOLAR FARM
The Sunnyside Solar Farm and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a proposed renewable energy generation and storage project located in Bendemeer, NSW, within the Tamworth Regional Council local government area and the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
The project aims to contribute to the NSW Government’s target network capacity of 8 GW within the New England REZ, supporting the transition to a cleaner, more reliable electricity supply in NSW and across Australia.
Community Engagement
Initial engagement activities are expected to take place during the scoping phase over Q3 2026.
The project team will seek to work with suitably qualified engagement specialists who have strong local knowledge and/or are part of the local community. Engagement will include consultation with key local stakeholders, including First Nations groups, to help inform the project’s assessment and development.
We welcome enquiries and interest about the project. Get in touch with us via our Contact page.
Key Features:
Capacity
The project is proposed to include up to 400 MWdc of solar PV generation and a 1000 MWh BESS.
Location
Located along Green Valley Road and the New England Highway in Bendemeer, NSW, approximately 50 km from both Tamworth and Armidale town centres.
Grid Connection
The project is proposed to connect to Transgrid’s 330 kV transmission line that crosses the project site. Access to this existing transmission infrastructure was one of the reasons the site was selected.
Current Status & Timeline
The project is in the early stages of development and is progressing through grid connection studies and environmental impact assessments.
How much land does the project cover?
The project footprint covers approximately 230ha of land.
Why was this site chosen for the project?
Two of the main reasons for site selection are: 1) proximity to Powerlink Orana substation (approx 10km) and it has adequate capacity to accommodate electricity supply from the proposed Everleigh Solar Farm; and 2) the project footprint has a very minimal regulated vegetation; topography is flat and less flood prone.
Is the project permanent?
The project is planned to operate for 30 years.
Under what guidelines/regulations was the project be assessed?
It was assessed under Planning Act 2016 (QLD) and Western Downs Regional Council Planning Scheme
Who is the consent authority for this project?
Western Downs Regional Council
How long will construction take?
It is expected to take up to 18 months to complete construction and commissioning.
What assessments are undertaken as part of the project development?
As part of the development approval, the project was required to include, but not limited to, ecological assessment (focusing on both State and Commonwealth regulated flora and fauna), flood impact assessment, traffic impact assessment, bushfire hazard assessment, and Aboriginal cultural heritage survey. All these assessments will inform the mitigation and management measures for any site constraints during construction and operation.
How many jobs will be created?
It will create up to 200 jobs across the lifecycle of the project.
How will the local community benefit from this project?
Everleigh Solar Park aims to deliver lasting benefits for First Nations and local communities through employment, training, and social initiatives. Key commitments include Barunggam employment roles, job readiness training, community grants, and local procurement. These will support youth employment and skills development, with ongoing review and input from stakeholders throughout the project.