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Solar power plan for Canberra

THE Canberra Government and ActewAGL are to jointly fund a feasibility study into a large-scale solar power plant for the region.
"It is crucial that we explore all available options for large-scale projects that will make a meaningful contribution to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, and a solar power facility, generating sufficient electricity to power many thousands of homes and businesses, could be one of the most effective - and cost-effective - ways of ensuring that we meet our reduction targets," Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said.
ActewAGL Chief Executive Officer John Mackay was thrilled to partner with the Canberra government to fund the study.
"ActewAGL is serious about it's commitment to the environment and what better way to fight global warming than to produce our own renewable energy right here in Canberra," Mr Mackay said.
"The plant should initially be sufficient to supply solar energy to thousands of Canberra homes, translating into a reduction of many tens of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions."
The study will look at which of the available solar technologies would be most appropriate, and establish the economic viability and the net environmental impact of such a facility.
The terms of reference include (but are not limited to) the following:

Examine the feasibility of building a solar power facility;
Assess options for suitable location/s for such a facility, having regard to land availability, grid connectivity, environmental considerations and access for students and visitors;
Determine the optimum size of the solar facility in terms of initial capacity and the potential for future expansion, and identify the environmental benefits flowing from the proposed solar facility in terms of emissions reductions;
Assess current solar technologies and determine the optimum proven technology for large-scale generation, having regard to cost efficiency and the environmental impact of proven technology, and the ability to expand output using emerging new technology;
Determine the cost of constructing and operating the solar facility and the level of indirect or direct subsidy, if any, that might be required to make the investment commercially viable, with consideration to regulatory and electricity pricing implications;
Undertake a full cost-benefit analysis of the solar facility proposal, having regard to net environmental impact, cost efficiency, social equity, public safety and Federal and Canberra government greenhouse gas policy;
Compare the cost efficiency of the proposed solar facility withy mainstream electricity generation and any other local green energy generation alternatives that might be viable;
Identify and consider all planning and statutory requirements relating to the proposal; and
Provide a report to the joint parties by July 1, 2008.

Mr Stanhope said while the Canberra Government was working on multiple fronts to achieve abatement and adapt to the impact of climate change, through the dozens of actions outlined in last year's climate change strategy, Weathering the Change, it was determined to seek further opportunities for making a difference.
"The urgency of the challenge is certainly not diminishing over time and it is important that we make investments that deliver measurable and cost-effective inroads into our emissions targets," Mr Stanhope said.
"It may be that a solar power station, utilising one of the existing solar technologies, may prove to be a breakthrough investment that is worth pursuing. We won't know until we have the evidence, and we won't have the evidence unless we go out and get it. That's what this feasibility study is for."