The Australian Government
has selected the AREVA Solar, CS Energy and Wind Prospect CWP consortium's
"Solar Dawn" as the preferred solar thermal power project in Round 1
of the Australian Government's Solar Flagships Program.
The Solar Flagships Program aims to provide the foundation for large-scale,
grid-connected solar power and accelerate the commercialization of this energy
source in Australia.
Solar Dawn is a proposed 250 megawatt solar thermal gas hybrid power plant. The
AustralianCommonwealth and Queensland Governments
announced their commitment to contribute AUS.$ 464 million and AUS.$ 75
million, respectively, to the project.
The consortium will now work with government and stakeholders to finalize all
relevant approvals and financing arrangements, as well as engineering,
procurement, construction, operations and maintenance contracts, by the end of
2011.
Solar Dawn will be located in South West Queensland, near CS Energy's recently
announced 44 megawatt Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project. These two projects will
use AREVA Solar's Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar thermal
technology.
As a solar thermal gas hybrid power plant, Solar Dawn will combine AREVA
Solar's CLFR steam generators with a gas boiler back-up system, giving it the
ability to deliver around the clock power.
AREVA Renewables CEO Anil Srivastava declared: "Solar Dawn will be an
international showcase for Australia - using the region's abundant solar
resource and AREVA Solar technology, to efficiently produce clean, reliable
power to meet growing energy demand."
"Once completed, the proposed project will be the largest of its kind and
one of the most environmentally responsible power production plants in the
world. Its innovative hybrid design will deliver energy as needed, even when
the sun isn't shining," he added.