The Solar Dawn Consortium confirmed recently that it has advised the Commonwealth Government that while the project is well advanced and remains Australia’s best prospect for a large-scale solar thermal project, the Consortium did not meet the recent financial close milestone and the Queensland Government has formally withdrawn from the current project support agreement.
Project Director Anthony Wiseman said that while the project delay is a set-back, the Consortium will pursue discussions with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Queensland Government to move Solar Dawn forward based on the project’s advanced status and the strong economic and environmental benefits.
“Solar Dawn is well-positioned to bring large-scale solar power to the forefront of energy production in Australia and help realise Queensland’s potential as a world-leading producer of more efficient, reliable and renewable energy,” Mr Wiseman said.
“It represents a $1.5 billion economic investment in Queensland, delivering 300 construction jobs, local manufacturing and a $68 million solar research program for The University of Queensland.”
