Sunraysia Daily
Tuesday 20/5/2008 Page: 3
THE north-west Victorian site of the largest solar power station in the world could be decided within months. Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang are all in the running to host the $420 million large-scale solar powered plant with construction to begin next year. Solar Systems sustainability manager Julia Birch said the company was continuing to investigate a potential site or sites including negotiations with both Mildura Rural City Council and Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board.
Two sites around Mildura and single venues at both Swan Hill and Kerang are believed to be on the short list of preferred locations. "From a company perspective, work has already started in northwest Victoria, although it is not a visible presence yet," Ms Birch said. "Much work has gone into site selection and we would hope to make an announcement before the end of this year.
"Solar Systems representatives have visited the area many times to assess sites and while that investigation is ongoing, great strides are being made to identify preferred areas." Federal and Victorian governments have injected $130 million towards the project, while leading integrated energy company TRUEnergy has invested $40 million in return for a 20 per cent ownership interest.
The project is expected to generate 950 new jobs during construction, with a demonstration facility near Bendigo expected to be complete next year. Technology demonstrated at the $10 million Bridgewater facility will be utilised in the north-west Victoria project. Ms Birch said the low emission technology sector was a "very competitive market" with indications that "all is looking up" for the industry.
"We have firm government support and we are very serious to deliver on that support. "There has been much behind-the- scenes engineering design work and the completion of the Bendigo facility will open the way for the construction of the facility in northwest Victoria." The north-west Victorian solar power station project is planned to begin generation in 2010 and be fully completed by 2013.
Using high performance solar cells originally developed to power satellites, the full-sized photovoltaic solar plant will produce 154MW of electricity, enough clean energy to power 45,000 homes. Victorian Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor this month endorsed the solar project for northwest Victoria. "When Solar Systems solar power station has been completed, we will see a 154 megawatt power station with sufficient plant to provide electricity to light up a city the size of Geelong," Mr Batchelor told State Parliament.
"This essentially will be through zero emissions energy generation," he said. "Through investment in projects such as these the government will continue to demonstrate its dedication to combating climate change and further position Victoria as a global leader in the development of renewable energy." Mr Batchelor and Premier John Brumby earlier announced the go-ahead for the Solar Systems and TRUEnergy partnership to build the world's largest solar power station.
He said the Victorian Labor Government contributed funding to the project through its energy technology innovation strategy. "As well as direct funding, the Victorian Government has provided the Victorian renewal energy target (VRET), the right regulatory framework, which has enabled this scheme to be secured for Victoria," Mr Batchelor said. "VRET has enabled this investment to be brought forward," he said.
"It is because of the regulatory framework that this investment will be made in clean energy." Mr Batchelor said it was clear the Brumby Government had put in place the right framework for the project. "It has provided the most appropriate grants and it has provided the most suitable economic and commercial climate for the development of these sorts of projects," he said. "That is why the Solar Systems project will go ahead."
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