AN ambitious plan to build one of Queensland's biggest solar energy farms in Cloncurry was tabled at the Cloncurry Shire Council meeting yesterday.
The $6 million project by Port Macquarie-based solar farm specialists Harelec Services, promises 20 full-time jobs during the 12-month construction phase, and three permanent full time jobs thereafter.
Importantly for consumers, it also carries the promise of cheaper power.
Harelec Services was an unsuccessful tender for Cloncurry's State Government-supported solar farm announced late last year.
But yesterday director Jamie Harrison told councillors his company was determined to build in the Shire with or without the council's financial backing.
He said his project would be 50% bigger than the project proposed by the winning tender submitted by Ingenero.
"Cloncurry can handle up to 10 megawatts," he said.
"There's definitely capacity for us to set up our own solar farm here."
"We have already built (solar) 16 trackers, including one for NSW State Super, a 35 kilowatt one for Shell Harbour Council in Wollongong, and a 25 kw one for Geelong Council."
The solar trackers are driven by a computer which takes the longitude, latitude, altitude and hemisphere.
"It's a sun-path program and knows exactly where the sun is for 365 days a year, so there's no error and it's wind protected," Mr Harrison said.
"I haven't given up; I want to do business here," Mr Harrison said.
He said he was puzzled as to why his tender was unsuccessful.
"Our proposal was for three megawatts - 50 per cent more than what the State Government wants to let the contract for.
"Our plan would produce 100 per cent more power."
Mr Harrison said Harelec is still interested in Cloncurry as a site for a solar farm as it has access to sunshine that other centres don't have.
"You have 20 per cent more sunshine here than Brisbane does, yet your power is the most expensive in the country.
"I'm just amazed there're not more solar farms in this area.
"If solar's going to work anywhere, it's going to work here," he said.
"We still see Cloncurry as a viable proposition."
Mr Harrison said he wasn't asking the council for money.
"We have our own; we'd just like a chance to do business.
Harelec Services is a family-owned company that has been in Port Macquarie for 35 years.