Australia: Solar Energy Gets a Boost, But Offers Much More

  •  melbourne, australia
  • Inter Press Service

Proponents of renewable energy say that a planned large-scale solar power plant in Australia's northern Victoria state, which will produce enough output to provide electricity to 60,000 homes, is just a fraction of what could be achieved if federal and state governments were fully committed to harnessing solar energy.

The proposed 180-megawatt Mallee Solar Park power station, to be built near the town of Mildura - some 550 kilometres northwest of Melbourne - will become the largest of its kind in Australia upon its anticipated completion date in 2015. Belonging to TRUenergy, one of Australia's largest energy companies, the project recently received the financial backing of the Victorian Government, which committed 100 million Australian dollars (96.6 million U.S. dollars) in late September to the Mallee Solar Park.

'Together with Victorians, we are rising to the challenge of climate change by driving new initiatives to cut emissions and create a cleaner, greener future for Victorian families,' state premier John Brumby said on Sep. 21. Solar generated electricity, along with other renewable sources like wind and hydro, is increasingly being viewed as a potential major power generator as countries around the world look to transition to low-carbon economies.

But even with the state government's financial support, TRUenergy still requires federal dollars to proceed. 'The eventuality of the Mallee Solar Park project is only feasible with the support of both the state and federal governments,' says Richard McIndoe, TRUenergy's managing director. The Mallee Solar Park, which will use solar photovoltaic technology, has been shortlisted alongside three other prospective solar photovoltaic power stations and four solar thermal projects for financial backing as part of the federal government's 1.5 billion Australian dollar (1.45 billion U.S. dollar) Solar Flagships Programme (SFP).

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