Call for large scale solar proposals

Renewable energy companies with proposals to establish large scale solar generation in the ACT are being invited to submit proposals to the Government as part of the ACT Labor Government's plan to make Canberra Australia's solar capital, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell, announced today.

The request for proposal stage will attract bids from companies who have the ability to deliver on the government's plans to create large scale solar at the lowest cost to the community.

"Companies will be able to submit proposals to establish solar facilities to support the development of up to 40 megawatts of large-scale solar generation capacity," Mr Corbell said.

"The request for proposal has been facilitated by the Electricity Feed-In (Large Scale Renewable Energy Generation) Act 2011, enacted in December 2011, and allows for 40MW of generating capacity to be established in the first auction.

"This process will make sure Canberrans get the best value investment in renewable technology, but also see more than one large scale facility being established."

The Government will shortlist proposals based on those with the best capacity and track record to deliver the projects before inviting pricing offers.

Mr Corbell said that the ACT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to offer a feed-in tariff to a large scale facility.

"Having a feed-in tariff on the table for industry is essential to give the industry investment certainty, that will in turn see Canberra's plan to become Australia's solar capital a reality," Mr Corbell said.

"Having large scale solar in the ACT will assist in reducing carbon emissions beyond the national targets and take advantage of the large reductions in the cost of solar energy that has recently occurred in Australia."

Payment will be made to generators only when renewable energy is produced, and the cost to the community will go down as the price of fossil fuel electricity goes up.

Information on how to register and participate in the auction process can be found at:

http://www.environment.act.gov.au/energy/solar_auction