Historic Solar Thermal Plant Considered for Heritage Listing

The White Cliffs Solar Power Station, notable for being the first commercial solar thermal power station in Australia, is now being reviewed for potential heritage listing.

This weekend, the New South Wales government initiated a public consultation regarding the heritage listing of the White Cliffs Solar Power Station, launching a survey on its ‘Have your say’ platform.

Historical Significance

Recognised as the first commercial solar thermal power facility in New South Wales and among the earliest globally, the White Cliffs Solar Power Station may qualify for state heritage significance due to its pioneering role.

Constructed in 1980 by a team from the Australian National University in the remote town of White Cliffs, which was selected for its high level of solar insolation, the solar power station features 14 parabolic dishes. Each of these dishes is adorned with over 2,000 mirrors that concentrate sunlight onto a collector.

Power Generation and Evolution

The facility generates electricity by creating superheated steam, which powers a single-phase 37kVA alternator, supplying power to the local community.

In 1997, the station was upgraded to water-cooled photovoltaic cells, but operations ceased in 2005. A year later, Engineers Australia acknowledged the site’s historical importance by installing a physical heritage marker, noting that given its contribution to the local electricity supply, White Cliffs Solar Power Station could be considered “the world’s first commercial solar power station.”

The public survey is open until 8 May, after which the Heritage Council will evaluate the feedback as part of its assessment process.