Federal cash 'no' kills Australia's $1.2bn Solar Dawn CSP project
Australia’s A$1.2bn ($1.25bn), 250MW Solar Dawn solar-thermal project has been dealt a fatal blow after the newly-established Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) refused to provide financial support.
The decision by the federal agency ends plans to build Australia’s biggest solar project in Queensland by the Solar Dawn consortium, which comprises French power equipment giant Areva and partner Wind Prospect.
The rejection of the 250MW Solar Dawn project was seen as likely, due to its high costs and the earlier withdrawal of funding support from the Queensland state government because the project failed to secure a power-purchase agreement (PPA).
A statement on the consortium’s website confirms that it will no longer be pursuing the Queensland project.
