Solar Flagship fails to ignite NSW renewable future

While the investment in renewable energy under the Solar Flagships Program is a big step in the right direction, the Moree project is second best to a stand-alone solar thermal power station with energy storage capacity to contribute to the overnight load, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

“Giant solar energy plants to run 100,000 homes“, Sydney Morning Herald, 20 June, page  4

Dr Kaye said: “Queensland scored the premium project with more jobs, greater technical challenges and rewards and a much brighter future.

“NSW has to make do with the leftovers that cannot contribute to the overnight load.

“The Moree project, while a welcome boost to the region’s economy, is unlikely to develop much in the way of new technology or know-how with  export potential.

“It’s a tribute to the lack of interest and ability of successive NSW governments that this state ended up with lots of rooftop solar panels connected together while Queensland secured the much more exciting and innovative solar thermal power station.

“Central station solar thermal is where the jobs will be and where the baseload future lies.

“Even Queensland’s solar thermal plant is married to a coal-fired station, limiting its capacity to demonstrate a future without burning fossil fuels.

“While the Greens NSW welcome the intent of the Flagship program, the lack of a stand-alone solar thermal power station with overnight storage means Australia will probably have to import the base-load renewable technology in a decade’s time.

“The opportunity to develop it here in NSW and then export the know-how has been squandered,” Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455