Clean and green the way to go

THE announcement that SolarReserve is coming to Queensland with a plan to build up to six solar thermal power plants in our very sunny state is wonderful news.

In Australia, we have increased our photovoltaic or rooftop solar tenfold between 2009 and 2011, and quadrupled installations between 2011 and 2016, but commercial solar has stalled because of a lack of clear policy direction from the Federal Government.

Solar thermal technology, as proposed by SolarReserve, uses a superheated salt solution to release that heat overnight or on cloudy days, and will provide “base load” power and enough electricity to power over 500,000 households. The process has zero emissions.

The project will also provide up to 20,000 Queensland jobs during construction and give the state an economic boost.

This is a much better idea than a new coal- fired power station or coal mine.

The Federal Government still has to decide how to allocate the $ 5 billion from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund.

Supporting the development of new industries in renewables, manufacturing and energy security without destroying our Great Barrier Reef and the climate ... well, that seems like a much better idea. CHRISTINE CARLISLE, Environment Council of

Central Queensland.