Category: Mildura

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Concentrating Solar Power Station launched in Mildura

John Englart
Silex Mildura Solar Farm. Photo courtesy Silex

Thursday saw the official launch of the Silex built Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) Solar Power Station in Mildura, Victoria, supplying enough power to the grid for about 500 average homes. Victorian Minister for Energy launched the power station, but was criticised by Environment Victoria for failing to support investment in solar energy as promised in their 2010 election commitments.

The Mildura Solar Farm project was initiated under the previous Brumby Labor Government as part of a scheme which aimed to build 5 to 10 concentrating solar thermal (CST) power stations in the states’ north and west by 2020 bringing needed regional development money and jobs to the north of the state.
Continue reading “Concentrating Solar Power Station launched in Mildura”

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NSW moves on big solar while Victoria lags behind

Leigh Ewbank

The following post is by Yes 2 Renewables volunteer, Jasmine Coghetto:

The NSW Government has approved a pioneering solar power station in Broken Hill and will invest $64.9 million in the project. Victoria’s northern neighbour is leaving the state in the dust as it moves ahead with big solar projects.

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The 50-megawatt Broken Hill solar project will install 650,000 photovoltaic modules five kilometres from the remote regional town. It will generate 125,000 MWh of electricity every year, meeting the needs of around 17,000 NSW households. Over 110,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be avoided each year—the equivalent of removing 31,000 cars from the road.

Clean, zero-carbon electricity isn’t the only benefit of the Broken Hill plant.  The project will make a significant contribution to regional job creation and economic development. Up to 150 direct, local construction jobs will be generated during the 17-month construction period.

In contrast to its neighbour, Victoria is lagging behind when it comes to big solar projects. Even though there has been some progress toward renewables, this achievement cannot be compared to the step taken by NSW. Continue reading “NSW moves on big solar while Victoria lags behind”

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Solar Systems CPV array

Bridgewater solar plant commences operations

Ben Courtice

March 21 press release from Silex: Solar Systems Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silex Systems Ltd (ASX:SLX), has announced that it has commenced operation of Australia’s largest Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) Solar Power Station in Bridgewater, central Victoria. The … Continue reading Bridgewater solar plant commences operations

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Invest in renewable energy, not coal

Cam Walker

This appeared in the Sunraysia Daily, 13 Feb 2012 THE government of Ted Baillieu has recently re-stated its intention to put $50 million of public funds into a dirty coal-fired power station in the Latrobe Valley. However, previously, the Premier has said that he will match the funding commitment of $100 million to the Mallee solar power station made by the ALP when it was in power. So far, almost every single action by the Baillieu government on the environment has taken us backwards: our 20 per cent emissions reduction target is now ‘aspirational’, the government has enacted regressive planning … Continue reading Invest in renewable energy, not coal

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Call for governments to divert coal funding to Mildura solar plant

Cam Walker

Media Release 23 June 2011 FRIENDS OF THE EARTH Call for governments to divert coal funding to Mildura solar plant The Federal and State governments should redirect the $150 million they have promised to the polluting HRL coal plant at Morwell to support the proposed Mallee Solar Park near Mildura, Friends of the Earth said today. “Despite missing out on the first round of funding under the federal Solar Flagships program, the Mildura Solar Park still has huge potential to provide jobs in regional Victoria and clean energy for the state,” said FoE campaigns coordinator Cam Walker. “We welcome the … Continue reading Call for governments to divert coal funding to Mildura solar plant

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state government urged to hold funding for Mallee solar park

Cam Walker

The following news item comes from the ABC. Funds pledge urged for second-round solar bid The Victorian Government is being urged to hold over millions of dollars in funding for the proposed Mallee solar park near Mildura. The developer, TRUenergy, was promised $100 million from the Victorian Government but it was contingent on the project getting Commonwealth funding. The Federal Government has announced a project at Moree as the successful bidder under its Solar Flagships program. The Opposition’s energy spokeswoman, Lily D’Ambrosio, says the Victorian Government is not guaranteeing the funds for a second-round Solar Flagships bid by TRUenergy. “This … Continue reading state government urged to hold funding for Mallee solar park

baseload power, BP Solar, coal vs renewables, Mildura, NSW, Pacific Hydro, Solar Flagships program, Solar PV, The Greens, TRUenergy1 Comment

Mildura misses out on federal funding for solar power station

Cam Walker

The following comes from the Sunraysia Daily, Journalist: CHRIS MCLENNAN. See the end of this post for details on the projects that received the federal support. Solar blow: Mildura misses out on federal funding for power station MILDURA has missed out on its bid for a second major solar power station. Instead, Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the weekend announced funding worth three quarters of a billion dollars for projects in Queensland and New South Wales. TRUenergy’s much fancied “Mallee Solar Park” 180 megawatt station south of Red Cliffs was beaten for funding by a 150 megawatt solar farm in … Continue reading Mildura misses out on federal funding for solar power station

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Coalition confirms funding for $500m solar project

Cam Walker

From the Sunraysia Daily. BY CHRIS MCLENNAN Solar sure: Coalition confirms funding for $500m project THE Victorian Government has confirmed its support for Mildura’s two proposed solar power stations. A project with the promise of attracting $350 million of taxpayer money to Mildura was looking a little frayed around the edges. Energy Minister Michael O’Brien yesterday reaffirmed the promise he made to Sunraysia Daily soon after his appointment earlier this year to support then Premier John Brumby’s $100 million pledge for the Mallee Solar Park. TRUenergy’s proposed 180 megawatt flat panel array south of Red Cliffs won what jubilant former … Continue reading Coalition confirms funding for $500m solar project

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Work begins on solar plant near Mildura

Cam Walker

The following comes from ABC. Work begins on solar plant A start will be marked today on Australia’s largest solar power station at Mildura. The Silex company says the first stage of the photovoltaic project will be the construction of a two megawatt demonstration facility at Carwarp, south of Mildura. That project is due to be finished next year and subject to its performance, a 100 megawatt station will be built on the same site by 2015. The larger plant would generate enough electricity to power 40,000 homes. For details on the project, check here. Continue reading Work begins on solar plant near Mildura