Support for solar power projects to aid growth

Goldfields stakeholders and industry figures have voiced their support for a solar power project in the region, arguing fresh proposals could help address supply issues that are having an impact on mining investment.

The show of support comes after the Kalgoorlie Miner revealed two companies were exploring the potential of a solar thermal power plant at Mungari Industrial Estate, 23km west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber and Commerce and Industry chief executive Hugh Gallagher said major mining projects in the Goldfields had been at serious risk of running into critical power issues.

“In recent times there have been mining operations that only just made it because of the lack of available energy in the region,” he said.

While declining to name the projects, Mr Gallagher said one multimillion-dollar development last year had faced the prospect of not having access to enough power.

“That was a bit scary, they had invested millions and not being able to flip the switch would have been a disaster,” he said.

Mr Gallagher said the future of the Goldfields as a destination for investment was contingent on demonstrating the strength of the region’s power infrastructure to interested parties.

“If we were get this project up, it would place us in a much more positive position in terms of being able to attract and encourage would-be developers and investors,” he said.

Regional Development Australia Goldfields-Esperance Committee chairwoman Julia Shadlow-Bath said the organisation strongly supported a Mungari solar project.

“We have an unlimited supply of sunshine, we have a space on the fringes of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, if there was an opportunity for the region to take this on it should be wholly embraced,” she said.

But she said financial support would be the deciding factor.

“At the end of the day it does require dollars, and those dollars need to come from industry and government,” she said.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy chief executive Reg Howard-Smith said the industry body welcomed news of interest in a solar energy project in WA.

Mr Howard Smith said reports by the CME indicated total electricity demand by the resource industry in the Goldfields was forecast to grow by 450 gigawatt hours in 2014 and remain constant to 2020.

But he said the majority of this growth was expected to be met by proponents’ self-generation.