Solar thermal jobs heating up
05 Aug 2009
At least 12,225 Australians could be employed to provide clean, renewable, solar thermal energy within ten years, according to new analysis from WWF-Australia and leading solar thermal company Ausra.
The report Power to Change: Australia's Solar Future further reveals that by 2050, large-scale solar thermal energy could also provide over 12 per cent of Australia’s energy needs.
Calling on both sides call of politics to strengthen and pass the proposed Renewable Energy Target, WWF–Australia CEO Greg Bourne today argued that Australia must move quickly to unlock the full potential of transformational clean energy sources.
"As we begin the transition to a low carbon economy, solar thermal power - already used here and in the United States - is set to play a huge role in producing the clean energy we desperately need.
"If Australia acts now, we have the opportunity to develop world-leading knowledge and technology in one of the most vital forms of clean energy for our future."
In addition to creating jobs for the operation and maintenance of solar thermal power plants, the creation of a solar thermal power industry will result in jobs in manufacturing, particularly of high quality glass and steel products.
Bob Matthews, Ausra Australia CEO said developing commercial-scale solar thermal energy would also have an impact on reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.
"Solar thermal is the large scale, zero emissions solution for powering Australia. Ausra's unique Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology has already been used to augment the 2,000 MW Liddell coal/solar power station in NSW's Hunter Valley, resulting in significant greenhouse gas reductions," Mr Matthews said.
"Our technology can also be used to reduce the impacts of other energy sources and energy intensive industries, such as mining, smelting, gas and coal power to begin transitioning these older, carbon polluting technologies."
By 2050, WWF and Ausra conclude, solar thermal energy could contribute over 10 per cent of the country's forecast emissions reductions.
NSW aside, regions which could benefit from solar thermal power include mining areas in Mt Isa, Alice Springs and the Pilbara, as well as industries near Port Augusta in South Australia and in north-west Victoria.
The solar technology used by Ausra was developed by company founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr David Mills, at his lab in the University of Sydney.
"As the home of this technology, with a wealth solar thermal resource, Australia must act on the opportunity to develop it extensively. The Federal Government must strengthen and pass the proposed Renewable Energy Target without delay."
Power to Change: Australia’s Solar Future is available at http://www.wwf.org.au/publications/powertochange/
More information
Jonathon Larkin, Press Officer, WWF-Australia
Mobile: 0410 221 410
Email: jlarkin@wwf.org.au
Susan Fitzpatrick, DMG
Phone: 02 9006 1614
Email: susan@datelinemedia.com
