Weasel Solar Farm

Overview

Weasel Solar Farm is a solar farm and battery storage project that will be constructed and operated on Weasel Plains in the Central Highlands of Tasmania. It could generate up to 250MW.

As a landowner-led initiative, the project will create new industry and economic opportunities in Bothwell and surrounding areas. The vision is to use renewable energy alongside existing agricultural and forestry practices to generate significant social and economic benefits for the Highlands community, surrounding landowners, and the state of Tasmania.

The project will contribute to Tasmania's renewable energy ambitions by producing clean, renewable power with minimal environmental impact. By harnessing solar energy, project will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

The careful planning and implementation of the project will ensure that the local ecosystem is preserved.

The solar farm will be constructed to enable the continued use of the land for grazing sheep on pastures underneath the solar panels, known as ‘agrisolar.’

Site Photography

The development area is located within the Weasel Plains,

approximately 9 kilometres to the north of Bothwell on Highlands Lakes Road.

Location suitability

The site sits within the Central Highlands Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), one of three Tasmanian onshore REZs, identified by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).

While most of the surrounding area is quite undulating, the area selected for the solar farm development is relatively flat and hidden from public view.

Sightlines from Highland Lakes Road along the western extent of the site boundary are largely protected by existing vegetation and a crest parallel to the road. The area for the solar farm is relatively cleared of vegetation, with large patches of native vegetation within the wider property being avoided.

The area is suitable for the development of a solar farm as it sits alongside existing transmission lines and has sufficient solar irradiance. The project’s central location to Hobart and Launceston will also ensure there is a reduction in the cost of transmission, compared to other sites.

Feasibility studies indicate that while the Weasel Solar Farm will be the most southern solar farm in Australia, summer daylight hours extend longer than in northern areas and during peak usage hours nationally.

Location

Planning process

Projects such as the Weasel Solar Farm undergo a thorough and detailed assessment based on the requirements under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme.

The Scheme sets out the requirements for use or development of land in accordance with the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993.

The approvals process ensures that all environmental, economic, and community considerations are evaluated before the project's development may proceed.

Central Highlands Council approved the Weasel Solar Farm (Planning Permit DA 2025/14) at its Council Meeting on Tuesday, 15 July 2025.

The planning permit contains a range of conditions the project must adhere to, as proposed in the Council Agenda, that can be viewed on Council's website or Council offices.

EPBC declaration

Weasel Solar Farm was referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to the Federal Minister of Environment.

On 22 May 2025, the Project was determined to be 'not a Controlled Action', due to the avoidance of any significant impacts upon matters of national environmental significance.

Construction

The Project team are now preparing for construction, with a focus on finalising detailed design, management plans and procurement.

This phase includes the preparation of management plans required under the Project’s planning permit including for Fire, Traffic and Environmental Management.

With planning permission received, the project is now entering the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process, which includes:

Selecting major suppliers and contractors
Engaging in Connection Agreement grid modelling
Preparing for geotechnical testing
Undertaking LiDAR surveying
Progressing the Connection Agreement grid modelling.

It’s an exciting time as Weasel Solar continues to gather momentum, with construction scheduled to commence in early 2027.

If you are interested in working with us on this project, please register your interest via Gamuda Australia's Procurement Platform.

In parallel, the team will commence engagement with local contractors and suppliers. Community and key stakeholder engagement will continue during this time, to ensure that neighbours and the broader community are kept informed about construction timing, traffic changes and employment opportunities.