Australia’s Government announced plans to build what it says is the world’s largest solar power stationGrid-connected photovoltaic systems are connected to the public grid through an inverter and feed-in electricity into the public grid. with an output of 1000 megawatts (that would be enough to powerUseful energy can be mechanical energy, for example powering a fan. about 800,000 homes, based on Bloomberg calculations). Australians Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the government will invest A$1.4 billion ($1 billion) with industry in this project which should lead to a network of solar-powered stations across the country.

Reuters wrote yesterday:
The plant would have three times the generating capacity of the current biggest solar-powered electricityA form of energy having magnetic, radiant and chemical effects. Electric current is created by a flow of electrons. plant, which is in California, Rudd said during a tour of a power station.

Tender details will be announced later in the year, and successful bidders will be named in the first half of 2010. Rudd said the project was aimed at exploiting the country’s ample sunshine, which he called “Australia’s biggest natural resource.”

I am looking forward to see this project beeing started …

Writing about Australia and projects reminds me that I wanted to post something on the new REEEP programme cycle. To stay on topic just a few words on REEEPs activities in South East Asia and Pacific:

REEEPThe Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is a non-profit, specialist change agent aiming to catalyse the market for renewable energy and energy efficiency, with a primary focus on emerging markets and developing countries. has announced that it will fund forty-nine new clean energy projects in 25 countries, all designed to help kick-start the uptake of renewablesRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. and energy efficiencyUsing less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use electricity more efficiently - doing the same with less.. This seventh funding round is the largest ever, representing a 46% increase over the sixth disbursement in June 2007. A total number of 4 projects to be implemented in the Pacific region were selected in the final stage of the selection process for funding:

• Hotel sector energyThe ability to perform work, mainly kinetic, potential, thermal energy, but also in forms of gravitational, sound, elastic and electromagnetic energy. efficiencyUsing less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use electricity more efficiently - doing the same with less. in Fiji (Greenlight Technology Group)
• Expansion of Minimum Energy Performance Standards & LabelingLabels help consumers make choices in regard to the climate impacts of the products they buy.
  Clear, easy-to-understand labeling of household applications such as washing machines and other goods is thought to empower consumers to choose low carbon products. This regards the production of a ... scheme to selected South Pacific Islands and energy auditing in selected North Pacific Islands (SOPAC)
• Development of new micro finance systems for existing micro finance institutions in the Pacific to increase clean energy lending (Foundation for Development Cooperation)
• Implementation of Renewable EnergyRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. Act in Tonga (Government of Tonga)