Seven applicants have submitted full applications under Round 1 of the Australian Government’s $1.5 billion Solar Flagships Program.
The Solar Flagships Program is a key component of the Government’s $5.1 billion Clean Energy Initiative. The Program aims to provide the foundation for grid-connected solar power to play a significant role in Australia’s future electricity supply, and to drive down technology costs.
“Solar energy is a critical element of the Australian Government’s vision for a low carbon economy,” said the Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP.
“Australia has some of the best solar radiation in the world and the electricity output from solar power matches well with peak electricity demand in summer.
“Solar Flagships projects will demonstrate the commercial operation of large-scale solar power in Australia’s competitive electricity markets.”
Round 1 of the Program is seeking to select two commercially viable projects, one photovoltaic and one solar thermal, with a minimum electricity generation capacity of 150 megawatts for each project.
In May 2009, the Government accepted advice from the independent Solar Flagships Council to short list eight applicants for Round 1.
The short-listed applicants have been preparing detailed feasibility and design studies over the past seven months.
The Government was advised this week that ACCIONA Solar Power Inc has withdrawn from the Solar Flagships program.
The seven applications received will now be subject to a rigorous assessment process by the Solar Flagships Council before a recommendation is made to Government. Based on this independent advice Government will make a final decision on the outcome of Round 1.
The announcement of the Round 1 Solar Flagships outcome is expected in mid 2011.