World's first solar-diesel power station in WA

WA's Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore opened Horizon Power's Pippunyah Solar Diesel Power Station on Friday at Marble Bar, known for its record high temperatures. The new $34 million station is powered by the biggest sun-tracking solar panel farm in Australia.

"Marble Bar is significant for many reasons: the three-billion-year-old rock on which it was based, the world record it held for the most consecutive days of maximum temperatures and, now, a world-first in power-generation technology," the Minister said.

The power station will generate 1048 MWh of solar energy a year and generate 65% of daytime energy demand from solar power. It is estimated it will save 1119 t of greenhouse gas emissions a year and save between 35% and 40% of diesel consumption a year.

Horizon Power Managing Director Rod Hayes said the traditional custodians of the 45,373 square kilometres east Pilbara region, the Njamal people, were consulted during the development of the new station. "The group chose the name Pippunyah, which is the name of the river that runs below the power station," he said.

The project is supported by the federal government through the renewable remote power generation program and is implemented by WA's Office of Energy.

Source: AAP NewsWire