Mount Isa Mayor Danielle Slade is confident in the potential of Vast Solar's proposed $640 million solar farm that is anticipated to be built outside of Mount Isa.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cr Slade's statement comes as Vast Solar signed a joint development agreement with Stanwell Corporation for a $10m feasibility study into their North West Queensland Hybrid Power Project to power the local economy and resources sector with low cost, reliable, renewable energy.
Vast Solar CEO Craig Wood and Stanwell's Business Origination Manager Chris Peet met the mayor last week to discuss the planned power plant.
"We are very excited to hear about the $640 million investment and the creation of between 300 and 400 jobs during the construction phase of the hybrid power plant, and more than 30 ongoing jobs when the plant is up and running," Cr Slade said.
"Creating sustainable energy for the future is integral and very important to both the private and public sector."
Cr Slade said the delivery of secure, reliable, around-the-clock and low-cost power using world-leading technology will bring benefits for Mount Isa residents.
"This project will be a world-class facility and will deliver further opportunities for research in the tertiary sector," she said.
"It may even be an opportunity for sustainable-energy tourists to visit the site in the future."
Vast Solar has indicated the 50MW plant will use mirror-based concentrated solar thermal power technology, integrated with a solar photovoltaic system, a large-scale battery and gas-powered engines, producing 85 per cent clean energy while using more than 80 per cent less fuel than traditional gas-powered generators.
Vast Solar says it expects to provide power to mining companies in the region.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Bookmark https://www.northweststar.com.au/
Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Google News
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
