Weasel Solar Farm Proposal
Landowner-led renewable energy that supports local agriculture
Photo: Weasel Hill
A landowner-led
renewable energy project that supports agriculture and the Bothwell community
A vision for a more sustainable future
The Downie family from Dungrove and the Bowden family from Weasel Plains are working in partnership with Andrew Clark from Alternate Path to develop the Weasel Solar Farm, a solar project with potential capacity up to 250 MW located 9 kilometres north of Bothwell.
Together, this partnership brings two decades of experience in renewable energy development, including the successful Cattle Hill Wind Farm, located on the eastern shore of Lake Echo.
​
The Weasel Solar Farm seeks to create local jobs for the Central Highlands region and support the Tasmania’s net-zero transition.
A landowner-led proposal that is sensitive to local concerns
The Downie family from Dungrove and the Bowden family from Weasel Plains are working in partnership with Andrew Clark from Alternate Path to develop the Weasel Solar Farm. As established local families, they are committed to sensitively considering the environmental and cultural values of the area and making positive contributions to local communities and the broader region.
Opportunities for training and job creation in the renewable energy industry
The development of new renewable energy projects such as the Weasel Solar Farm will contribute to the development of an alternate industry and local employment base for the Central Highlands. By growing the renewable energy industry in Tasmania, the project can help provide training and job opportunities for communities in and around Bothwell.
​
No need for new transmission lines through the local landscape
More reliability and affordability of power for local businesses
The project is suitably located within the Central Highlands Renewable Energy Zone and benefits from being adjacent to existing 220 kV transmission line infrastructure. Using this existing infrastructure means that there is no need to build new transmission lines, minimising impacts on the local landscape.
The amount of electricity generated will be equivalent to powering over 30,000 homes. Investing in renewable energy generation will help to meet demands for future local industry and Bothwell's community.
Proposal
Overview
The Weasel Solar Farm is a solar project with potential capacity up to 250MW located 9 kilometres north of Bothwell. The project will be coupled with a battery energy storage system (BESS) to provide further stability to the state’s electricity grid and contribute to the clean energy transition.
The project will connect directly to the existing 220 kV transmission line running through the site, avoiding the need to develop new transmission lines.
​
The solar farm will be constructed to enable the continued use of the land for grazing sheep underneath the solar panels, known as ‘agrisolar.’
​
Existing topography and vegetation will screen the project from most views along Highlands Lakes Road.
​
The proposed layout design for the solar farm is informed by technical assessments covering a range of matters, such as biodiversity, traffic, fire, hydrology, cultural heritage and noise. Any potential short or long-term negative impacts are expected to be minimal or negligible. If unavoidable, these will be minimised, mitigated, or offset through early design and planning, and environmental and construction management plans.
​
The project seeks to provide significant community benefits, including direct investment, construction and ongoing jobs, and other local procurement opportunities.
30,000
Approximate Equivalent
Number of Homes Powered
300
Number of Direct Construction Jobs Created
8
Number of Direct
Ongoing Jobs Created
44,676
Tonnes of CO2-e Emission
Saved Per Annum
262,800
Electricity Production
Per Annum (MWh)
457,929
Equivalent Number
of Trees Planted
Central Highlands
Proposed Site
The proposed development area is located within the Weasel Plains, between 9-14 kilometres north of Bothwell.
