The Federal government wants to create the largest solar energy project in the world.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the government would spend almost $1.4 billion creating the project, as part of its commitment to spend $4.5 billion during 2009-2010 on reducing carbon pollution.
The project will include up to four individual solar plants generating on average the same amount of energy as a coal-fired power station, Rudd said. Sites will be chosen through a tender process by next year.
Rudd has also announced that Australia will become a full member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA), which will hold its first meeting in June.
