The Whitsunday Regional Council has approved an application by the Ratch Australia Corporation (RAC) to install a solar farm at the old Collinsville Power Station. 

The once 180MW coal fired power station closed in December 2012 – RAC will now develop a 20 – 30MW solar power station in its place. Once completed, it will be able to provide power to around 7000 homes. Its name will now be the Zero-Emission Collinsville Solar Photovoltaic Power Station. Prior to its closing, the site used to be accountable for over 1.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

“The development of the Solar PV site is the first step in ensuring that the Collinsville Power Station becomes a sustainable asset for Collinsville,” Mayor Jenny Whitney said. “This is the type of diversity that is required for the community in helping to re-generate jobs and ensure longevity in employment in Collinsville,” she said.

Construction is said to begin in 2014 with the site to commissioned and operational in 2015. The project is said to cost around $50 million to complete.

Further studies into the site and into solar thermal technology will examine the feasibility of developing a 30MW hybrid solar thermal station at the site. RAC will also look into using superheated steam to provide mains power using a dual fuelled boiler designed to be able to use gas as well.