<p>The Government’s investment in renewable energy innovation today culminated in the official opening of the nation’s two largest solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in Nyngan and Broken Hill.</p>
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<div>“The 102 MW Nyngan and 53 MW Broken Hill solar plants have more than doubled Australia’s large-scale solar capacity and can generate enough electricity to power 50,000 average Australian homes,” Minister Hunt said</div>
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<div>“As well as reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 301,560 tonnes a year and helping advance large-scale solar technology in Australia, the AGL solar plants delivered some 400 jobs during the construction phase and injected close to $29 million into local economies.”</div>
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<div>“The solar plants will be operational for 30 years and it is estimated more than $222&#160;million will flow into the Nyngan and Broken Hill regions over that period through employment and direct maintenance service requirements like plant and infrastructure upgrades.”</div>
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<div>“This project is a great example of how federal and state governments can work with industry to deliver innovative renewable energy projects,” Minister Hunt said.</div>
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<div>The Australian Government has provided $166.7 million towards the $440&#160;million AGL solar project with the NSW Government providing $64.9 million.&#160;</div>
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<div>Today’s announcement comes less than a week after the Government announced 22 solar projects shortlisted to receive funding under a $100 million large-scale solar PV competitive round.</div>
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<div>“This funding will support the development of around an extra 200 MW of large-scale solar capacity, which will again double the nation’s large-scale solar generation within two years,” Minister Hunt said.</div>
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<div>“The Turnbull Government is investing in large-scale solar to encourage innovation and pave the way for more solar plants to be built across Australia.”</div>
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<div>Minister Hunt and Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton visited Nyngan today, and were joined by dignitaries including NSW Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts and Bogan Shire mayor, at a ceremony to open AGL’s Nyngan and Broken Hill solar plants.</div>
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<div>The Nyngan and Broken Hill Solar Plants received official renewable energy power station accreditation from the Clean Energy Regulator, making them eligible to participate in the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.<br />
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The two plants are a boost towards the 33,000 GWh Renewable Energy Target and are a significant investment in the industry.</div>
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<div>Mr Coulton welcomed the major economic benefits the project had brought to regional New South Wales, and the Nyngan region in particular.</div>
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<div>“During the construction phase, it is estimated the Nyngan solar plant created 250 jobs and saw almost $14 million flow into the local economy,” Mr Coulton said.</div>
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<div>“Over the next three decades, while generating solar power for Australian homes and businesses, the Nyngan solar plant will see an anticipated $137 million flow into the regional economy including four full-time local jobs to operate and maintain the solar plant.”</div>
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<div>“This is great news for the people of Western New South Wales,” Mr Coulton said.</div>