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Renewable Energy News

WEDNESDAY 08 DECEMBER, 2010 |

Report: Queensland Solar Resources Among The World's Best

by Energy Matters

Queensland has all the goods to become an international leader in commercial-scale solar power, according to a recent pre-feasibility report on Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) in the state.

Premier Anna Bligh said the government, in partnership with the William J. Clinton Foundation's Clinton Climate Initiative, commissioned the report to examine the opportunities and challenges of deploying large-scale solar power plants in Queensland.

"The Government is committed to transitioning Queensland to a clean energy future and I understand that we are one of the first governments in the world to undertake such a comprehensive study."

The report found the quality of Queensland's solar resource is comparable to the world's best solar resources and rolling out large-scale solar projects in Queensland is technically and environmentally feasible.

The study also found that combining solar power with other energy sources such as existing fossil fuel generation may help in the economics of deploying commercial scale solar power technology new to Queensland.

Ms Bligh pointed out Queensland's solar resources are greater than that of regions such as Nevada in the United States and Granada in Spain, where utility-scale solar power generation is already being commercially deployed.

Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said the outcomes of the report will guide the planning of renewable energy development in the State.

"This project represents a substantial investment in the future of solar energy in the state and delivers on a key commitment of our QREP and ClimateQ strategy to address the challenges of climate change."