Lithgow City Council will be the consent authority and it was anticipated that a Development Application (DA) would be brought to council early next year.

Centennial Coal’s executive GM [General Manager] corporate communications Katie Brassil said it was important to allow council time to assess the application.

“We would anticipate securing an approval for Airly’s solar farm in the second half of next year with construction to commence immediately,” she said.

The project will be up to two megawatts in capacity with a capital investment value under $5 million.

“This proposed project will contribute towards our commitment to sustainability, reduce our carbon footprint and the energy generated will be predominantly used by Airly with any excess being fed into the grid,” Ms Brassil said.

Ms Brassil also said that solar energy was a clean and renewable source of electricity with no greenhouse gasses released during generation.

The solar farm will be built within a 40 acre foot print and will directly power the mine activities in an area already approved for disturbance. 

“The appropriate technical studies are currently being finalised,” Ms Brassil said.

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Airly Mine employs just over 100 people and, according to Lithgow City Councillor Cassandra Coleman, visiting the site and hearing of the progress of the new solar farm was exciting for the region.

Cr Coleman said Lithgow City Council looked forward to seeing the report come in early next year.

“Our local industry is leading the way of the future and this project is game changing, showing both renewable and non-renewable forms of energy generation can co-exist,” she said.

The mine site neighbours the Mugii Murum-ban state conservation area, which is archaeologically significant with healthy eco-systems where Australian wildlife visit, including the Regent Honeyeater.

Ms Brassil said Cr Coleman’s visit to Airly included an underground trip and inspection of the site for the proposed solar farm.

“We are proud of our Airly Mine and it was a pleasure to show it off to Cr Coleman,” she said.

Cr Coleman said she saw the smart design of the Airly Mine buildings that were purposely built to blend in with the surrounding natural environment.

“Seeing underground and the very small environmental footprint above also impressed me,” she said.

Centennial Coal was eager to get construction under way and was also assessing its other mine sites across the region to see if renewable energy could be incorporated into its energy supply.

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