Two Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE) grants for solar energy projects were announced on 11 May 2010 in the context of the 2010–11 Budget.
CS Energy Pty Ltd—$34.9 million grant
The CS Energy project at Kogan Creek in Queensland will demonstrate the Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar array technology developed in Australia by Ausra Pty Ltd. This technology is now being marketed world-wide by the Areva Group. The project is attached to the existing Kogan Creek A Power Station to provide a 44 megawatt equivalent superheated steam solar boost to the coal-fired turbines. This will allow an increase in energy output as well as a saving of around 35,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
SolarOasis—$60 million grant
The Whyalla SolarOasis Consortium will demonstrate ‘Big Dish’ concentrated solar thermal power generation technology. The 40 megawatt demonstration plant at Whyalla is to be built on site. The technology is easily scalable and a successful demonstration of the ‘Big Dish’ technology will open the way for the potential further deployment of the technology, both within Australia and overseas.
The project is expected to generate power for about 9,500 average households and save about 60,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. The Whyalla SolarOasis Consortium consists of N.P. Power Pty Ltd and Sustainable Power Partners Pty Ltd.
Timeline
The first ACRE Solar project commenced on 3 March 2011 and both projects are scheduled for completion by late 2016.
Grants and funding
The $94.9 million funding from the Australian Government—combined with the anticipated leverage from successful applicants—will deliver approximately $330 million in renewable energy investments in Australia.
More information
For more information about ACRE solar projects see the Minister's media release.
To learn more about solar power, visit the solar power information page.