Australia to build world's largest solar power station

19 May 2009

Australia is planning to build the world's largest solar power station with three times the generating capacity of the world's exisitng largest plant in California.

Australia, the world's largest coal exporter, currently uses coal for over 80 per cent of its domestic electricity generation.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said yesterday that since he wanted Australia to be a 'solar leader' rather than a 'solar follower', Australia would tap into its 'biggest natural resource' to build the world's largest solar energy plant.

The photovoltaic plant costing A$1.4 billion ($1 billion), will have an output of 1,000MW, which is equivalent to that of one coal-fired power station will be able to supply power to nearly 800,000 homes.

Currently, Australia's energy capacity is 45,000MW.

The money will come from the A$4.7 billion that Australia has committed to spend on clean energy initiatives over the next decade. The tender details will be finalised by this year and successful bidders will be named in the first half of 2010.