Australia's Largest Solar Thermal Project to Expand

Novatex Solar Thermal Technology

Macquarie Generation is pleased to announce the expansion of their solar thermal energy project at Liddell Power Station in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales.

Novatec Solar has been awarded the contract to build a new 9MWth solar field at Liddell, which will complement the existing plant, a world first integration of solar thermal technology with a traditional power station. Novatec Solar is majority owned by Transfield Holdings.

Construction of the 18,000 square metre solar field - the size of almost three football fields - is expected to commence in early 2011 and be completed in 2012.

"This project will approximately double the size of our existing solar array at Liddell Power Station, which will make it the largest solar thermal energy project in the Southern Hemisphere," Macquarie Generation Chief Executive Mr Grant Every-Burns said.

"The new and existing plants combined will generate renewable energy for over 1000 average Australian homes every year, and is further demonstration of Macquarie Generation's commitment to exploring alternative energy opportunities." MrEvery-Burns said.

For full press release: http://www.macgen.com.au/News/2008News/Liddell%20Solar%20Project%20to%20Expand.pdf