A Lake Cargelligo sustainable energy site is set for expansion, with development approved for an Australian-first precinct to generate renewable energy to power sustainable agriculture.

With construction due to begin in late 2023, the development will build on an existing site owned by Australian technology company Graphite Energy, reinvigorating an abandoned project. 



The Lake Sustainable Energy Precinct masterplan will include a 5MW solar photovoltaic (PV) field combined with multiple forms of integrated energy storage, including: 

• battery energy storage for providing electricity 
• thermal energy storage for providing heating, cooling and drying 
• hydrogen energy storage for providing electricity and diesel fuel substitution

 The energy will then be used to power sustainable agriculture operations, which will include:

•  agrivoltaics - protected cropping operation underneath and between the solar panels
•  greenhouse - protected cropping for the production of vegetables and leafy greens
•  fish farm – tank-based aquaculture system to produce fresh fish

Graphite Energy Chief Executive Officer, Peter Lemmich, said the approved Lake Sustainable Energy Precinct represents a significant step forward for energy independence and a cleaner, greener future.

Despite the $29 million investment, the project will largely serve as an experiment for the effectiveness of the technology. (Graphite Energy)

“As well as playing an instrumental role in supporting local agriculture in Lake Cargelligo, the Lake Sustainable Energy precinct will pioneer a pathway for the decarbonisation of agriculture more broadly, which will be a difficult to abate sector of the economy.” 

If successful, it's a fitting home for the project, where the Lachlan Shire has received several awards for their efforts in sustainability.

“We’ve got solar power to run a lot of our buildings, and the savings we make on power are put back into the council to reinvest in some other energy-type projects,” said Lachlan Shire Council Mayor John Medcalf. 

The $29 million project was designed to demonstrate that energy and agriculture can coexist without forgoing farmland. 

The surplus energy generated by the Lake Sustainable Energy Precinct will be exported to the grid and the waste streams generated from the agricultural operations will be recycled to create compost and fertiliser. 

“We hope this will become a model that can be replicated elsewhere as we transition to a lower carbon economy,” said Mr Lemmich.

The Lake Sustainable Energy Precinct is estimated to create 30 new, ongoing jobs, as well as 100 jobs through the various stages of construction.