Carbon Energy turns to solar

Carbon Energy is to evaluate the development of a large-scale solar power generation plant at the company’s Bloodwood Creek underground coal gasification (UCG) demonstration site. The move comes after the Queensland government banned further UCG development in the state.

“This is a positive step for the Bloodwood Creek site and will help up realise some of the site’s potential, said Carbon Energy’s CEO, Morne Englebrecht.

“With its ideal weather conditions, connection to the grid and supportive infrastructure, the site is well positions for solar energy production, continued Engelbrecht. “The area is particularly well suited to this sort of technology, as evidenced by similar sites being planned in the area.

The agreement with Photon Energy will look into developing a 20 MW solar plant at the site. Photon Energy currently operates more than 154 MW of solar power plants in Australia.

“The project demonstrates and innovative approach that not only allows up to utilize the Bloodwood Creek site for renewable energy but also to potentially develop an innovative new energy storage technology, helping Australian meet its renewable energy target,” said Michael Gartner, Photon’s Managing Director.

“Solar power is an integral part of Queensland reaching its ambitious renewable energy target of 50% renewable energy in the state by 2030,” concluded Gartner.

There is currently only 7 MW of operating solar power generation operational in the state, according to the Queensland government’s website. But there are ambitious plans to increase this with 2807 MW of proposed solar installations in the state.

In contrast, there is 8338 MW of installed coal capacity in the state.

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/24062016/carbon-energy-turns-to-solar-2016/