Application for generation licence
The Electricity Supply Industry Act 1995 (the Act) provides for the Regulator to issue licences for (among other activities) the generation of electricity.
On 13 May 2025, the Regulator received an application for a generation licence from Northern Midlands Solar Farm Tas Pty Ltd.
Application - Northern Midlands Solar Farm Tas Pty Ltd
The application relates to the operation of a proposed 288 MW solar farm at “Connorville" near Cressy in the Central Highlands. It is proposed that the facility will be built in two stages, each with 144 MW capacity.
The first stage is proposed to connect to TasNetworks' 110kV transmission line from Avoca to Palmerston at a point approximately 15km from Palmerston.
The existing 110kV transmission line does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate the full output of the proposed facility and it is proposed that, subject to agreement with TasNetworks to construct a new transmission line adjacent to the existing transmission line, the facility will subsequently connect to a replacement 110kV circuit between Avoca and Palmerston and to a dedicated 220kV circuit from the facility to Palmerston.
Section 19 of the Act provides (in summary) that the Regulator may only issue a generation licence if satisfied that:
- the applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence; and
- the generating plant (or proposed generating plant) will generate electricity of the appropriate quality for the relevant transmission system or distribution network.
In deciding whether an applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence, the Regulator will consider:
- the applicant's previous commercial and other dealings and the standard of honesty and integrity shown in those dealings; and
- the financial, technical and human resources available to the applicant; and
- the officers and major shareholders of the applicant and their previous commercial and other details and the standard of honesty and integrity shown in those dealings (including breaches of statutory and other legal obligations).
The Regulator's objectives, when exercising his powers and functions under the Act, are to:
- promote efficiency and competition in the electricity supply industry; and
- establish and maintain a safe and efficient system of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply; and
- establish and enforce proper standards of safety, security, reliability and quality in the electricity supply industry; and
- protect the interests of consumers of electricity.
The Regulator's jurisdiction does not include local government planning matters or environmental issues.
The Regulator sought submissions from interested parties between 15 May 2025 and 6 June 2025. No submissions were received.
The Regulator will now assess the application, and determine whether to issue a generation licence to Northern Midlands Solar Farm Tas Pty Ltd. The Regulator's decision, including a statement of reasons, will be published on this website.