Narrogin Solar and Battery Hybrid Project

Narrogin Solar and Battery Hybrid Project

The Project

Ace Power engaged Land Insights to secure development approval for a 200MW solar farm and 800MWh battery energy storage system on rural land south of Narrogin. The site would connect to the Southwest Interconnected System via the Narrogin South substation. The application was assessed by the Regional Development Assessment Panel under the Shire of Narrogin Local Planning Scheme No. 3.

The Challenge

This site carried significant pre-lodgement complexity. Numerous unmade and historical road reserves created unresolved land tenure issues that had to be worked through before a viable project boundary could be established. Environmental constraints, visual impact on surrounding rural properties, and community benefit expectations all required resolution before a viable application could be prepared. During the assessment process, road construction obligations and community benefit conditions became contested, requiring active representation to ensure appropriate and proportionate conditions were applied.

What We Did

Land Insights led the project from the ground up. The first priority was resolving the land tenure issues by identifying and working through the unmade and historical road reserves affecting the site. A flora survey was commissioned and the results used to define exclusion areas and establish a clear development footprint before detailed design began. A visual impact assessment was completed and its findings incorporated into the layout before lodgement. Early engagement with the Shire of Narrogin addressed road upgrade requirements and community benefit expectations, including how a Community Enhancement Fund would be structured and implemented. With tenure, environmental, and visual constraints resolved upfront, Ace Power had a clearly defined footprint within which to design the solar arrays, connecting cables, BESS infrastructure, and substation layout. Land Insights prepared the full Development Application and supporting documentation, managed the process through the Regional Development Assessment Panel, and represented Ace Power at both the RDAP hearing and the State Administrative Tribunal to ensure appropriate conditions were applied.

The Outcome

Development approval was granted in June 2025 with a four-year construction window to accommodate staged delivery. The design retains active agricultural use through sheep grazing beneath the arrays and the project is expected to generate approximately 200 local construction jobs.

Learn more about our Renewable Energy Planning Services and how we support innovative low-impact energy solutions across the state.