Solar power farm on Sunshine Coast ready to be connected to the grid
Author: The Courier Mail Date Posted:24 July 2017
AN Australian-first solar farm that sets a shining example for other regions will go live tomorrow in the most fitting of locations – the Sunshine Coast.
The pioneering project will make Sunshine Coast Council the first local government in the nation to offset 100 per cent of its electricity consumption with energy from a renewable source.
The council developed the $50.4m facility at Valdora, west of Coolum, from scratch to deliver massive savings for ratepayers and send a clear message about the area’s commitment to clean energy.
It will sell power harvested using 57,960 solar panels to the grid for the best price it can achieve and buy it back at the cheapest.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said the forward-thinking Sunshine Coast Solar farm would begin feeding electricity into the power grid tomorrow in an exciting day for the region and its residents.
He said it would allow council to take control of its own electricity supply, combating rising power bills and achieving an important sustainability milestone.
“All power consumed at all of council’s facilities, including administration buildings, aquatic centres, community and performance venues, as well as holiday parks, libraries, art galleries and sporting facilities, will be offset with energy from a renewable source thanks to this nation-leading project,” Cr Jamison said.
“We are the first council in Australia to build and operate a 15MW utility scale solar farm which will deliver $22 million in savings, after all costs, for our ratepayers over the next 30 years,’’ he said.
