White Rock called on local businesses to submit expressions of interest to undertake the work packages as construction on the solar farm project is expected to start in July. The project is estimated to cost $41.4 million, with $5.4 million funding support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

The solar farm is expected to employ three ongoing staff after construction is complete.

A number of locals heeded the call and arrived to learn more about the available work packages being offered. 

The program was launched to maximise opportunities for local suppliers to participate in the process. 

The industry briefing on Thursday provided local businesses with additional information about the available work packages and the process of bidding for subcontracting or supply opportunities.

All that is left now is for the engagement stage to begin as UGL, the main contractor for the project, will engage suppliers and subcontractors. The development is a solar-wind hybrid renewable energy facility for the New England Tablelands.

The solar farm is expected to generate around 44,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity in the first year of operation, enough to supply the equivalent of approximately 7,200 average NSW homes. The project is designed to benefit significantly from sharing part of the wind farm infrastructure, including the grid connection and access tracks.

Co-location of wind and solar provides numerous benefits such as complementary energy generation patterns, and reduced environmental impacts and project cost. 

The project has been listed on ICN Gateway and companies with an ABN are encouraged to register their interest via the ICN website. The Solar Farm is located adjacent to the norther end of the White Rock Wind Farm, 18 kilometres west of Glen Innes.