Introduction
Venn Energy is a Canadian renewable energy developer that works on large-scale solar and battery storage projects in Australia. Its Australian portfolio includes the Boree Solar Project near Geurie and Wongarbon in New South Wales, the Lambruk Solar Project near Loomberah in New South Wales, and the Cooba Solar Project near Colbinabbin in Central Victoria.
As these developments progress, local residents and other interested readers may want to understand who Venn Energy is, how the company develops renewable energy projects, and what role it plays in the planning and approval process. Each project has its own location, development status, and potential effects on the surrounding community.
This blog provides an overview of the company, its Australian projects, and its involvement in the proposed Boree Solar Project, while also exploring the community concerns that have been raised.
Key Takeaways
- The company develops solar and battery energy storage projects.
- Venn Energy handles planning, studies, and approvals.
- Projects may later be built or operated by other companies.
- All projects go through government assessment and public consultation.
What Is Venn Energy?
Venn Energy is a Canadian renewable energy developer that plans and develops large-scale solar farms and battery energy storage projects in Australia. Rather than owning and operating completed facilities, the company focuses on identifying suitable sites, securing planning approvals, and advancing projects through the early stages of development.
Working with landholders, technical specialists, and government agencies, Venn Energy manages activities such as site selection, environmental studies, engineering assessments, and planning applications. Once a project reaches key development milestones, it may be transferred to another company for construction, ownership, and long-term operation.
Company Overview
Headquartered in Canada, Venn Energy has expanded its renewable energy development activities into Australia. Its Australian project portfolio includes the Boree Solar Project near Geurie and Wongarbon in New South Wales, the Lambruk Solar Project near Loomberah in the Tamworth Regional Council area of New South Wales, and the Cooba Solar Project near Colbinabbin in Victoria’s Campaspe Shire.
What Does Venn Energy Do?
As a project developer, Venn Energy is responsible for the early planning stages of renewable energy projects. Its work typically includes:
- Identifying suitable project sites
- Working with participating landholders
- Conducting environmental and technical assessments
- Preparing planning and approval documents
- Engaging with government agencies and stakeholders
- Advancing projects toward construction and future ownership
This development model is commonly used across the renewable energy industry, allowing specialist developers to progress projects through planning before they move into construction and long-term operation.
Venn Energy’s Three Major Australian Solar Projects
Venn Energy is developing three proposed utility-scale solar projects across New South Wales and Victoria. The Boree Solar Project and Lambruk Solar Project are located in New South Wales, while the Cooba Solar Project is located in Victoria. Each project has its own development status and follows the relevant planning, environmental assessment, and approval requirements.
| Project | Location | State | Current Status | Proposed Capacity |
| Boree Solar Project | Near Geurie and Wongarbon | New South Wales | Planning and environmental assessment | 250 MW solar + 800 MWh battery |
| Lambruk Solar Project | Loomberah, Tamworth Regional Council | New South Wales | Planning stage | Proposed utility-scale solar project |
| Cooba Solar Project | Colbinabbin, Campaspe Shire | Victoria | Approved on 5 June 2025 by the Victorian Planning Minister | Up to 350 MW AC / 500 MW DC solar facility + 300 MW / 1,200 MWh BESS |
1):- Boree Solar Project (New South Wales)
The Boree Solar Project is Venn Energy’s proposed renewable energy development near Geurie and Wongarbon in regional New South Wales. The project includes a 250 MW solar farm, an 800 MWh battery energy storage system, and associated infrastructure across approximately 1,322 hectares of land. It is currently progressing through the NSW planning and environmental assessment process.
2):- Lambruk Solar Project (New South Wales)
The Lambruk Solar Project is one of Venn Energy’s proposed renewable energy developments in New South Wales. It is located near Loomberah, within the Tamworth Regional Council area. The project is progressing through the relevant planning and environmental assessment processes before construction can begin.
3):- Cooba Solar Project (Victoria)
The Cooba Solar Project is Venn Energy’s proposed renewable energy development near Colbinabbin in Victoria’s Campaspe Shire. The project was approved by the Victorian Planning Minister on 5 June 2025. Its approval marks an important milestone in the development process, although approval does not necessarily mean that construction has started or that the project is operational.
How Does Venn Energy Develop Solar Projects?
Venn Energy follows a structured development process to plan and advance large-scale solar and battery energy storage projects in Australia. This process involves multiple technical, environmental, and regulatory stages before any construction can begin.
1):- Site Identification
The process begins with identifying suitable locations for solar development. This typically involves assessing factors such as sunlight exposure, land availability, proximity to transmission infrastructure, and environmental constraints.
2):- Landholder Agreements
Once a suitable site is identified, Venn Energy works with local landowners to negotiate land access agreements. These agreements allow the developer to conduct studies and, if approved, use the land for the proposed project.
3):- Environmental Studies
Environmental assessments are carried out to understand the potential impact of the project. These studies may examine local wildlife, water systems, soil conditions, and surrounding land use.
4):- Government Planning and Approvals
Projects must then go through state planning and approval processes. This includes submitting detailed applications, environmental reports, and technical documentation for government review and public consultation.
5):- Construction and Future Ownership
If a project is approved, it moves into the construction phase. In many cases, Venn Energy may transfer the project to another company for construction and long-term ownership and operation, depending on the project structure.
This staged approach allows renewable energy projects to be carefully assessed before they are built and connected to the electricity network.
What Is Venn Energy’s Role in the Boree Solar Project?
Venn Energy is the proponent and developer of the proposed Boree Solar Project in New South Wales. In this role, the company is responsible for managing the early and mid-stages of the project development process before any construction decision is made.
1):- Developer’s Responsibilities
As the project developer, Venn Energy oversees key activities such as site planning, technical design, environmental studies, and coordination with specialist consultants. These tasks help determine whether the project can meet planning and environmental requirements.
2):- Planning Application
The company prepares and submits detailed documentation to the NSW Government as part of the State Significant Development process. This includes technical reports, project layouts, and environmental assessments required for regulatory review.
3):- Environmental Assessments
Environmental studies form a core part of the approval process. These assessments examine potential impacts on land use, biodiversity, water systems, and surrounding rural areas.
4):- Community Consultation
Venn Energy also engages with landholders, nearby residents, and stakeholders during the planning phase. This may include information sessions, feedback opportunities, and responses to community submissions as part of the approval process.
5):- Government Approval Process
Ultimately, the Boree Solar Project must be assessed and approved by the relevant NSW planning authorities. The final decision depends on environmental findings, technical reviews, and public consultation outcomes.
This role positions Venn Energy as the primary developer responsible for progressing the Boree Solar Project through its planning and assessment stages.
Community Concerns Raised About Venn Energy Projects
As Venn Energy progresses its renewable energy projects in Australia, including the Boree Solar Project, various community concerns have been raised during the planning and consultation process. These concerns are typically submitted as part of formal planning feedback and public consultation stages.
1):- Agricultural Land
Some community members are concerned about the use of productive farmland for large-scale solar developments. The primary concern is the long-term impact on agricultural land availability and whether it affects local farming activity.
2):- Community Consultation
There have been concerns raised about how and when consultation has taken place. Some residents and landholders have expressed views that engagement occurred after initial land agreements were made, limiting broader community input during early planning stages.
3):- Environmental Considerations
Environmental impacts are another area of focus in community feedback. These concerns often relate to potential effects on local ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity within and around the project area.
4):- Flood Risk
In some submissions, residents have raised questions about whether large-scale land development could change natural water flow patterns and potentially contribute to increased flood risk in surrounding areas.
5):- Local Economic Impact
Community members have also discussed possible economic effects, including changes to farming operations, local contractors, and businesses that rely on agricultural activity in the region.
These concerns are considered as part of the broader planning and assessment process undertaken by state authorities before any final decision is made on project approval.
What Happens Next for Venn Energy’s Australian Projects?
Venn Energy’s Australian portfolio includes the Boree Solar Project and Lambruk Solar Project in New South Wales, and the Cooba Solar Project in Victoria. Each project has its own development status and next steps, depending on its planning approvals, assessment outcomes, and development arrangements.
1. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
For the Boree and Lambruk Solar Projects, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process examines potential environmental and community impacts. It includes technical studies covering areas such as biodiversity, water, land use, and nearby properties.
2. Public Exhibition
Once the relevant EIS is completed and placed on public exhibition, community members and stakeholders can review the documents and submit formal feedback or objections. This gives residents an opportunity to raise concerns about potential effects on local communities and the surrounding environment.
3. Government Assessment
The relevant planning authorities review the environmental assessments, technical reports, and public submissions before deciding whether a project should be approved and whether conditions are required.
4. Next Steps After Approval
If approved, the Boree and Lambruk Solar Projects may progress to detailed design, financing, construction planning, and other development stages, subject to any approval conditions. Construction and long-term operation may involve other companies, depending on the ownership and development arrangements.
What about the Cooba Solar Project?
Unlike Boree and Lambruk, the Cooba Solar Project in Victoria has already received planning approval. The Victorian Planning Minister granted approval on 5 June 2025. Its subsequent progress depends on the project’s development arrangements and any applicable approval conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1):- Is Venn Energy an Australian company?
Ans:- No. Venn Energy is a Canadian renewable energy developer that operates and develops renewable energy projects in Australia.
Q2):- What projects does Venn Energy have in Australia?
Ans:- Venn Energy’s Australian portfolio includes three projects: the Boree Solar Project near Geurie and Wongarbon, and the Lambruk Solar Project near Loomberah, both in New South Wales; and the Cooba Solar Project near Colbinabbin in Victoria. The Cooba Solar Project was approved by the Victorian Planning Minister on 5 June 2025.
Q3):- Does Venn Energy operate solar farms?
Ans:- No. Venn Energy mainly develops solar and battery projects and may transfer them to other companies for construction and operation.
Q4):- What happens after Venn Energy receives project approval?
Ans:- After approval, projects typically move into construction planning and may later be built and operated by another company.
Conclusion
Venn Energy is a Canadian renewable energy developer with projects in New South Wales and Victoria, including the Boree Solar Project near Geurie and Wongarbon, the Lambruk Solar Project near Loomberah in New South Wales, and the Cooba Solar Project near Colbinabbin in Victoria.
The company’s work focuses on project development, planning, technical assessments, and securing the necessary approvals before projects move toward construction and operation.
The Cooba Solar Project was approved by the Victorian Planning Minister on 5 June 2025. The next steps for the Boree and Lambruk Solar Projects depend on their respective planning and assessment processes.
Understanding these differences helps readers follow the progress of Venn Energy’s projects and the community concerns associated with the proposed Boree Solar Project.
