AUSTELA

World’s Largest Linear Fresnel Solar Power Station Commences Operation

AUSTELA member Novatec Solar has announced the commencement of operations of its 30MW Puerto Errado 2 (PE2) concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) station in Spain, the largest CSP plant in the world using linear Fresnel CSP solar array technology.

Novatec Solar is majority owned by Australia's Transfield Holdings. Global power and automation company ABB acquired a 35% interest in Novatec Solar in 2011.

Transfield Holdings' leadership in the development of Novatec Solar's technology, manufacturing capabilities, and project development and delivery capabilities, is a leading example of the ability of Australian industry to innovate and commercialise solar thermal power technologies.

The recent major report 'Realising the Potential for Concentrating Solar Power in Australia', commissioned by the Australian Solar Institute, found that CSP could provide up to 15GW of capacity in Australia's energy system, and that global growth in solar thermal power systems of up to 40%pa was possible over the medium and longer term.

However, Australian opportunities in CSP are being constrained by a lack of local awareness and demonstration of CSP technologies within the Australian energy market.

The commencement of operations of the PE2 project is a further indication of the readiness of Australian CSP innovation and industry to realise the opportunities available through demonstration and deployment of solar thermal power within Australia.