It is being reported today by theaustralian.com website that CLONCURRY in northwest Queensland will become the state's first town to be powered entirely by solar energy.

It is being reported today by theaustralian.com website that Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the town would be the site for a $7 million, 10 megawatt solar thermal power station.

"It's a real breakthrough for energy generation," said Ms Bligh, who visited the town for her first community cabinet meeting as Premier.

"The technology we're going to use in Cloncurry will ensure the power station keeps generating electricity even when the sun is not shining."

Luckily, a lack of sunlight is not a problem that faces Cloncurry - about 800km west of Townsville - Ms Bligh said yesterday.

"The town of Cloncurry has long claimed the title of having recorded Australia's hottest day - 53 degrees in the shade in 1889, so I reckon we're on a winner," she said.

It is being reported today by theaustralian.com website that the solar thermal power station will be built and running by the summer of 2009.

A similar, although much larger, solar power station will be built near Mildura in northern Victoria in a project jointly funded by the Victorian and federal governments.

It is being reported today by theaustralian.com website that plans for the plant, which will be one of the world's largest, were announced last year and the station is expected to be fully operational by 2013.

The $420 million "super plant" will aim to provide green energy to 45,000 homes and will create 1000 jobs.

At the Cloncurry plant, 8000 mirrors will be erected to reflect sunlight on to graphite blocks.