Coober Pedy Solar Power Station

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Coordinates: 29°01′43″S 134°46′24″E / 29.0285°S 134.77339°E / -29.0285; 134.77339 The Coober Pedy Solar Power Station was planned to be Australia's largest off-grid solar power station, located at remote Coober Pedy in South Australia's far north. The project would cost $7.1 million and the Australian Government promised providing $3.55 million under its Renewable Remote Power Generation program. When completed at the end of 2009, the power station was to consist of 26 solar dishes, each one 14 metres high, which would track the arc of the Sun. The power plant was to generate about 1860 megawatt-hours per year, 13 per cent of Coober Pedy's total electricity requirements. It would cut Diesel fuel consumption by up to 520,000 litres a year, saving 1,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.[1]

The Government had negotiations with two proponents and failed to convince either of the viability of the project. The project never proceeded.[2]

In 2014, a new proposal was raised to create a hybrid solar, wind and Diesel power system for Coober Pedy.[3] The contract was let to without an open tender process.[4] The project will convert Coober Pedy's electricity from being generated 100% from Diesel to only 30% Diesel, with the other 70% provided by the combination of renewable energy sources.[5] Energy Developments Limited is the developer for the new system. It has been supplying the electricity for Coober Pedy since 2004.[6]

A facility integrating 4 MW of wind power, 1 MW of solar power and a 1 MW, 500 kWh battery was operational in 2019.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ $7.1M Solar power plant for Coober Pedy
  2. ^ "EMPTY PROMISES DELIVER NOTHING Coober Pedy Power Station". Rowan Ramsey MP. 31 May 2010. Archived from the original on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  3. ^ "Coober Pedy hybrid power station plans get $18.5m". ABC News. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  4. ^ Krishnan, Shuba (18 February 2017). "Coober Pedy wind, solar project never went to tender, calls for probe into $192m cost". ABC News. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  5. ^ Leitch, David (15 June 2016). "Coober Pedy will soon be 70% renewable – 25 years in front of rest of Australia". . Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  6. ^ Parkinson, Giles (24 March 2017). "Fear and loathing about renewable grid in Coober Pedy". . Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  7. ^ "EDL's Coober Pedy Hybrid Renewable Project wins at 2019 Asia Power Awards". RenewEconomy. 5 September 2019.
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