Companies that submitted expressions of interest to build Cloncurry’s long-awaited solar project are furious they’ve had no communication from the Queensland Government about the progress of the plans.
The project would see solar panels feed energy into the Mount Isa and Cloncurry electricity grid, and would form part of the region’s ‘clean-energy corridor’.
One of the 19 companies that made its submission six months ago can’t get any information from the State Government.
Jamie Harrison, the CEO of NSW solar company Harelec, says he’s been left in the dark.
“I really can’t say that they are serious, if this is the way they’re going to attempt to hand out a tender proposal. It’s really not fair,” he said.
“But if you were to ask the question of whether I’d do it again, I’d most probably say ‘get stuffed’.
“We’ll go to another state that actually wants to help us.”
Steve Dickson, Queensland’s Shadow Minister for Energy, says the process is dragging on for too long.
“The government can’t be taken seriously when it says it wants Queensland to be the solar state”, he said.
But Queensland Energy Minister Stephen Robertson says he has no record of companies attempting to contact his office.
He says the tender process must be followed to ensure the best proposal is selected.
“I understand the frustration that some people may be having with how long this is taking, but the simple fact is the process is to ensure we deliver the best possible solar farm for the people of Cloncurry.”
Mr Robertson says the winning tender should be announced in the coming weeks.
