THE district economy is expected to receive an annual economic boost of around $3.5 million during the construction of the Gannawarra Solar Farm.
The first 60 megawatt stage of construction is due to start next month on Mallee farmland near Sandhill Lake and is to be operational early next year.
The solar farm is eventually planned to have a generating capacity of 300 megawatts, making it the largest solar generating facility in Victoria.
Solar panels will eventually cover an area of more than 600 hectares.
Economic modelling provided to Gannawarra Shire Council’s economic development unit indicates that the economic benefit will total $14 million over the four-year multi-stage construction phase.
Shire economic development manager, Roger Griffiths said that the benefits of this major development will be further enhanced by up to six other smaller solar generating facilities earmarked for land within the shire.
Mr Griffiths said that economic modelling outlines the benefits of the Gannawarra Solar Farm development:
Each 60 megawatt stage of construction of the 300 megawatt project is scheduled to take 12 to 14 months to complete and involve 110 staff.
On the basis that 110 staff each spend $65 per day spend, over 12 months, the spend is $2.46 million.
Not included in this figure is an estimated $300,000 per annum for contracted local services, including fencing, cement, landscaping and survey.
“With a multiplier effect of 1.45 as it passes through the service chain, the spend will be $3.5 million per year,” Mr Griffiths said.
“Based on a four-year time-frame to reach capacity that’s $3.5 million per year or $14 million.
Mr Griffiths said that the economic benefit during construction could be around $23 million if all seven proposed projects proceed.
Developers have indicated to council that between 20 and 24 jobs could follow construction of all the projects, although this would vary depending in individual factors.
