Swedish headquartered renewable energy provider OX2 has been granted environmental approval under Australia’s central environmental legislation to develop their Muswellbrook solar and storage project in New South Wales’ Upper Hunter.
The 135 MW solar farm and a 135 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) will be built across 482 hectares, about 2.5 km east of Muswellbrook, on land mostly owned by the Muswellbrook Coal Company, a subsidiary of Idemitsu Australia. The coal mine on the site closed in 2022.
The project, already holding NSW planning approval from the Independent Planning Commission in May this year, is being delivered in partnership with Idemitsu as part of a broader plan to reuse the former mine site for energy and industrial purposes.
“This is a leading example of the transition of the Upper Hunter Valley from coal mining to innovative post-mining land uses. The Muswellbrook solar project is an early mover in the re-purposing of a coal mine into an energy generation site and serves as an important test case for the broader region,” says Catherine Way, Director of Development, OX2 Australia.
The solar facility will connect to the state’s electricity network via a tee connection into the 95 M feeder, a 132 kV overhead line west of the site. This will require about 2.4 km of new 132 kV overhead line and a 132 kV switching yard.
The battery component will cover 2.1 hectares and store up to 135 MW of energy, equal to around two hours of electricity supply. It will allow stored energy to be released when demand is high, during outages, or when supply is tight, helping to support NSW’s energy security.
Muswellbrook is OX2’s second project in Australia to receive federal environmental approval this year, following the 90 MW Summerville solar and storage project in New South Wales, approved in July.
OX2’s Australian portfolio now includes 3.7 GW of solar, wind, and storage projects at various stages of development and construction, as well as management of 390 MW of operating renewable energy assets.
“I’m proud to see the continued progress of our projects in Australia. These approvals reflect the strength and professionalism of our team, as well as the growing momentum behind renewable energy across the country,” says Stephen Symons, Country Manager, OX2 Australia.
By developing renewable energy on a decommissioned coal site, the project offers a practical model for similar sites in the Hunter and other mining regions that are seeking new uses for large parcels of industrial land.
Construction is expected to create opportunities for local contractors and suppliers in areas such as civil works, electrical installation, equipment servicing, and site maintenance. Once operational, the facility will require ongoing support for vegetation control, security, and other services, creating potential for long-term regional involvement.
Operations are planned to begin in 2027.
