Australia's New South Wales inks major solar power deal

SYDNEY, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Australia's New South Wales (NSW) government inked a deal with a local company to build a major solar power hub in the state's central west region, media release quoted the state government as saying on Friday.

The deal, touted as the first large-scale renewable energy procurement of its kind in the state, was signed with renewable energy company Neoen Australia, and is expected to help generate electricity for about 10,000 households a year.

The project, which includes a 24-megawatt solar hub in the Dubbo area, is one of the five in the state to secure a share of 34.9 million Australian dollars from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency's large-scale solar funding last year. The latest contract is set to begin in July 2019 and expires in December 2030.

"This lays the foundation for more renewable energy procurement, which will deliver more power supply for the state and put more downward pressure on prices," the state's Energy and Utilities Minister Don Harwin was quoted as saying.

New South Wales boasts three of the country's largest operating solar farms, with another seven being built. Australia is the continent with the highest average solar radiation per square meter, according to the agency.

Earlier this year, Chinese-Australian solar power group Maoneng Australia announced the go-ahead for its 200-megawatt photovoltaic Sunraysia Solar Farm, which it said was the largest of its kind in the state to obtain planning approval. Enditem