Cimic Group company Pacific Partnerships has acquired the development rights for what will be one of Australia’s biggest solar farms, the 700MWac Cobbora Solar Farm on 3,000 hectares near Dubbo in New South Wales.

The company said it will generate enough electricity to power 280,000 homes.

Fellow Cimic company UGL will build and run the farm 55km east of Dubbo on mostly cleared grazing land. 

Sheep are expected to continue grazing when the solar farm is up and running.

Pacific Partnerships bought the project from renewable energy developer Marble Energy.

An environmental impact statement will be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment at the end of this year, before being placed on public exhibition for feedback.

The Cobbora Solar Farm will connect to the national network via infrastructure to be delivered by EnergyCo NSW.