Nov 26 2010
The Queensland government led by Anna Bligh is expected to invest around $5.7 million in clean solar power in Cloncurry. Stephen Robertson, Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister made this statement in Mount Isa.
He unveiled the government’s plan to call for tenders for the second solar power producing facility in Queensland. He explained that Cloncurry is recognized to have enough solar resources and found to be an ideal place for the installation of a solar farm and added that the government is yet to decide on the power production capability of the farm and is looking forward to install the best available solar system through a tender process.
According to the minister, the energy generated from the solar farm will be linked to the Mount Isa-Cloncurry electricity network of Ergon energy to meet the power needs of Cloncurry. He explained that the government office will work along with Ergon energy and the Cloncurry Shire Council to spot out a suitable location for the proposed solar farm. He clarified that his government has chosen, solar farm in place of solar thermal plant after the company that ran the trial project encountered notable problems related to reflective glare in a thermal project under taken in NSW. He explained that Lloyd Energy Systems, which ran the trial project, has expressed concern about the Cloncurry project location and the resultant impact on environment and the health of the community people has advised abandoning of the project.
The minister said that the government has taken the correct decision to exit the solar thermal project with its trial investment and has decided to invest the balance of $5.7 million in a solar farm project in Cloncurry. He added that the project forms a part of the government’s pledge to bring clean energy to the state. He assured that the first solar farm of Queensland in Hervey Bay will commence functioning in 2011.
Source: http://www.cloncurry.qld.gov.au