​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 21 August 2025, the Regulator received an application for a generation licence from Sun Spot 9 Pty Ltd.

 Application - Sun Spot 9 Pty Ltd (PDF 4Mb)

The application relates to the operation of a proposed 288 MW solar farm, known as the Cimitiere Plains Solar Farm, at Soldier's Settlement Road near George Town.

It is proposed that the generation facility will connect to the George Town substation via a dedicated 2x110kV transmission line.

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 29 August 2025 and 12 September 2025. No submissions were received.
The Regulator will now assess the application, and determine whether to issue a generation licence to Sun Spot 9 Pty Ltd. The Regulator's decision, including a statement of reasons, will be published on this website.