Providence will have three solar farms in the Tamworth area as jewels in their empire's crown, if two new Development Applications (DA) on Country Road are approved.
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One DA is currently on Tamworth Regional Council's development hub outlining plans to build a five megawatt solar farm, worth almost $7 million in Warral on Country Road.
Providence Asset Group director of community engagement Steve Badgery said the group was "extremely happy" to have another plan progressing for the city.
"Especially on the back of the positive response we got from the Manilla DA's approval late last year," he enthused.
The Manilla farm, part-owned with the Manilla Community Renewable Energy Incorporated, was approved last year, with work set to begin soon.
Mr Badgery said another five megawatt farm was also waiting approval on Country Road next to the proposed RFS training centre.
He said the company has 23 sites confirmed in NSW under lease, and are "still negotiating a couple of other sites".
In Victoria, they now have six farms operational and five nearing completion.
Tamworth and the North West is a region of focus due to the strong network, high solar radiation, the large population and expending regional opportunities.
- Steve Badgery
"Tamworth and the North West is a region of focus due to the strong network, high solar radiation, the large population and expending regional opportunities," Mr Badgery explained.
"It makes sense for us to develop in areas that are growing like this region is."
The five megawatt capacity can typically power up to 2000 homes. Mr Badgery said they'd specifically chosen areas which would have limited impact on existing farming operations and on neighbours.
"Overall we are excited to bring another project to the Tamworth region. We've been working closely with Tamworth Regional Council for a number of years with these types of developments."
If the two plans for solar farms are approved in the Tamworth region, combining with the approval in Manilla. the company will have spent upwards of $25 million in the city.
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Each project will employ around 30 contractors for the construction stage, which is estimated to take about six months. Once operational, there will be one to two people employed on a part time basis.
If approvals are in place by the second half of this year for these projects, Mr Badgery said construction would commence late 2021 and early 2022.
"Providence is also developing groundbreaking energy storage technology, that piggybacks on solar farms, so Stage Two will occur by bringing in the storage once the farms are up and running."
