The NSW Government has signed off on four new large-scale solar farms.

Planning minister Anthony Roberts said the solar projects in Nevertire, Walgett, Gilgandra and Metz would together bring up to 645 construction jobs, and lead to a total 275MW of new grid-connected capacity.

The Nevertire farm being developed by Epuron will be 105MW, the Metz Solar Farm by Infinergy Pacific will be 100MW, the Gilgandra project by French outfit Neoen will bring up to 40MW, and Epuron’s Walgett project capacity will be 29MW.

“When the four new farms begin operation, NSW’s 16 large-scale solar farms will generate sustainable power for 423,000 households, with a combined capacity for 1,131 megawatts of renewable energy,” Mr Roberts said.

“NSW continues to lead Australia in large-scale solar. We are committed to our country’s Renewable Energy Target and the State’s Renewable Energy Action Plan, and we are well on the way toward the 20 per cent target for renewable energy by 2020,” he said.

“Our focus is on ensuring energy security and affordability for our communities, businesses and services.”

“North-west NSW is fast becoming one of the solar power generation hubs of the state, and our solar investment is making a huge contribution to our clean, renewable energy targets,” he said.