Councillor report | Clean Peak Energy Solar Farm
Published on 26 May 2026
At the May Council meeting, Mayor Irene Grant reported on the recent opening of Clean Peak's Soar Farm in North Wangaratta.
"My report today recognises the significant investment made by Clean Peak Energy at North Wangaratta when 70 hectares of solar panels were officially commissioned at the site last week.
This renewable energy project has brought a steady flow of contractors, machinery and materials through Wangaratta, supporting local businesses and keeping skilled people working close to home. What is particularly important about this project is that it has been developed on land already zoned industrial and will provide power to the nearby industries, in particular Alpine MDF.
Local companies like HC Civil have been part of that effort, bringing their regional expertise in civil construction, from groundwork to materials supply.
Other local businesses engaged across the project are Signpro, Merriwa Industries, Ultrabond, G&J Trees, Intelephony, JBI Electrical, and Watters—reflecting the breadth of local involvement. Merriwa Industries will have an ongoing role in site maintenance.
CleanPeak has used local providers and they are establishing a permanent presence in Wangaratta, including a dedicated team of three full-time local employees working from their office here in town. This is a positive for Wangaratta and the development of renewable energy.
Projects like this also highlight the important role local government plays in shaping regional growth. How we as a council choose to position ourselves alongside industry, investors and community partners is critical to achieving strong outcomes.
With tens of thousands of solar panels and significant generation capacity, this facility positions Wangaratta as part of a growing energy sector, one that will continue to create opportunities into the future.
As a Council, we have played a vital role in welcoming and supporting this investment which aims to deliver long-term value to our community.
I’d like to acknowledge CleanPeak Energy and their collaborative approacj and everyone involved in delivering this project.
It sends a clear message that Wangaratta is a place where major renewable energy projects in the right location can succeed — and where investment is supported. A practical example of balancing industry, community and appropriate land zoning."
Additional Information
The Clean Peak Energy Wangaratta Solar Farm forms part of broader investment in renewable energy infrastructure across Victoria. More information is available here.