Australia is planning to announce in the first half of 2010 successful tenders for projects that will make up the world’s biggest solar station.

The government, which has allocated A$1.4 billion ($1 billion) for its solar energy initiative, has decided to build solar plants, preferably solar thermal or solar photovoltaic, which will produce 1000 megawatts of energy. The announcement is part of the government’s A$4.65 billion clean energy initiative.

“The Government plans to invest with industry in the biggest solar generation plant in the world, three times the size of the world’s current biggest, which is in California,” said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. He added that the plan is to capitalise on Australia’s biggest natural resource – sunshine – and co-invest with industry in what will end up being a network of stations across the country.

Tender specifications would be developed in the next six months or so.

Companies like Ausra and MAN Ferrostaal AG have already indicated that they would be interested in proposing their applications.
 

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