Western Australia Minister for Energy Peter Collier

State Government supports Solar Flagships applications

Victor P Taffa

The Liberal-National Government has supported funding applications of eight Western Australian ventures which are vying to become National Flagship Solar Energy Projects.

Energy Minister Peter Collier said the applications for WA-based projects were among about 50 projects soon to be short-listed by the Commonwealth to a final list of up to eight under its Solar Flagships Program.

Funding would ultimately be granted to one Solar Thermal and one Photovoltaic (PV) Project, aiming for a combined capacity of about 400MW.

Mr Collier said that proponents had particularly focused on the Mid-West region, as well as Kalgoorlie and the Eastern Wheatbelt.

“WA’s outstanding solar resources, which are among the world’s best, coupled with the structure of our electricity market, have attracted some strong Solar Flagships bids from this State.” Mr. Collier said.

“I look forward to the outcomes of the short-listing process.”

Some of WA’s bids include:

• 250MW solar thermal power tower proposal near Geraldton from Bright Source Energy, Abigroup Contractors, Bilfinger Berger Services Australia and Worley Parsons;

•  200MW solar thermal compact linear Fresnel proposal for Perenjori from Mid West Energy Pty Ltd, involving AREVA, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Murdoch University;

•  Photovoltaic proposal from Conergy;

• 150MW solar thermal plant proposed for the Wheatbelt region between Perth and Kalgoorlie;

• Modular Heliosat / tower style solar plant incorporating heat storage by Perth-based Helio Power.

Western Australia Minister for Energy Peter Collier

Boost for renewable energy in regional WA

Victor P Taffa

Two new solar powered stations will be built in regional WA, building on the Liberal-National Government’s commitment to renewable energy supplies.

Energy Minister Peter Collier said the stations would be built at Marble Bar and Nullagine at a total cost of $27.7 Million. This will be funded largely by Horizon Power with a welcome $4.9 Million injection from the Commonwealth’s Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP)*.

Mr. Collier said they would be the world’s first high penetration solar photovoltaic and diesel power stations.

The projects will include 2,250 solar panels, with a total of 500 kilowatt solar photovoltaic tracking arrays, and will each operate in conjunction with diesel power stations.

“These projects continue the Liberal National Government’s commitment to delivering a cleaner energy future for WA.” Mr. Collier said.

“Together, the renewable energy systems are expected to save 405,000 litres of diesel each year and reduce greenhouse emissions by 1,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.”

“They are capable of generating enough electricity to power almost 200 homes.” Mr. Collier said.

“These projects will provide clear benefits for regional communities in WA, including more secure and cleaner energy supplies.”

The two stations would incorporate the latest in renewable technology and would provide a more reliable service to the Pilbara towns, replacing 30-year-old systems.

*The RRPGP is a Federal Government initiative, and is administered in WA by the Office of Energy.

More details are available at http://www.clean.energy.wa.gov.au