May 18, 2009

Canberra, Australia: Rudd Government Launches Solar Flagships Program

The Rudd Government announced today that it is to invest $4.5 billion in becoming a world leader in solar power and other clean energy initiatives, including: $2.4 billion in low emissions coal technologies; $1.6 billion in solar technologies; $465 million to establish Renewables Australia to support leading-edge technology research and bring it to market.

The Rudd Government will invest $1.365 billion in the new Solar Flagships program. Solar Flagships will seek to develop up to four individual generation plants on the national grid.

The ambition is for Solar Flagships to generate three times as much power as that project. Together, they will have the generating capacity of an average Australian coal-fired power station (1000 Megawatts).

Australia will become a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), strengthening our role as a global leader in tackling climate change. IRENA’s aim is to speed up the implementation of renewable energy worldwide.

The knowledge gained from operating the Solar Flagships program will then contribute to the worldwide fight against carbon pollution, through Australia’s membership of IRENA.

The Rudd Government is committed to ensuring 20 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020. Australia’s participation in IRENA complements Australia’s establishment of the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute. Founded in January, IRENA currently has 80 members.

The Solar Flagship program will complement the Carbon Capture and Storage Flagship program. The two strategic technology priorities of CCS and solar will also be underpinned by supporting specialised research, development and demonstration programs.