Solar Dawn

Consortium members include AREVA Solar, CS Energy and Wind Prospect CWP QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA. The proposed ‘Solar Dawn' 250 megawatt solar thermal gas hybrid power plant near Chinchilla in South West Queensland was announced 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 commercialisation of solar power in Australia. It is a key component of the Australian Government's $5 billion Clean
Energy Initiative.

The announcement of the Federal Government's funding commitment follows the completion of feasibility and design studies by Solar Dawn consortium members AREVA Solar, CS Energy and Wind Prospect CWP over the past eighteen months. This funding commitment will now allow for project development and contractual processes to be finalised by the end of 2011.

AREVA Renewables Chief Executive Officer Anil Srivastava, speaking on behalf of the consortium, commended the Australian Government on its vision for a lowcarbon economy and its investment in developing utility-scale solar power generation.

"The Solar Flagships Program demonstrates the Australian Government's support for renewable energy. This announcement represents another significant milestone in the creation of a world-class clean energy industry in Australia," he said.

"Solar Dawn will be an international showcase for the nation, using Australia's abundant solar resource and AREVA Solar's Australian-pioneered Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology to combine zero-carbon solar energy with a low-emission, gas boiler back-up system 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, yet simple hybrid design will deliver energy as needed, even when the sun isn't shining."

The Solar Dawn consortium will work closely with key government, commercial and community stakeholders to finalise all relevant approvals and financing arrangements as well as engineering, procurement, construction, operations, and maintenance contracts.