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Better known for its PV panel manufacturing, China’s Trina Solar had an eventful week in terms of renewable energy project approvals on either side of Australia.

In WA its Killawarra Solar and BESS project, to be located approximately 22km south-west of Three Springs and 250km north of Perth in the Shire of Three Springs, was approved by a state planning panel.

The proposed 400 MW solar farm and 400 MW / 1600 MWh battery storage development will consist of more than 680,000 solar panels and associated inverter stations, and approximately 504 BESS containers.

A sub-station will be constructed close to an existing 330kV transmission line passing through the proposed subject site, which is located between South West Interconnected System terminals and close to Western Power’s Northern Energy Link upgrade project.

The project site covers an area of 1405 hectares overall, however the development footprint comprises an area of approximately 620 hectares in the northern section which is predominantly already-cleared land.

Announced in Beijing by Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan, Trina Solar also gained approvals to build the 500 MW / 1000 MWh Kiewa Valley BESS located in the Kiewa Valley in north-east Victoria.

The 10-hectare site is approximately 1.7km south-west of the Dederang Terminal Station where it can be integrated into the grid via the existing transmission line infrastructure.

The BESS is designed using CATL battery technology and SMA inverters.

Allan said, “the $453 million battery project has been fast-tracked through the Labor Government’s Development Facilitation Program to deliver cleaner and cheaper energy projects sooner.”

The project will create around 80 construction jobs and six ongoing roles once operational.