Heritage listing for ‘first of its kind’ outback solar experiment

• Established in 1981 by the Australian National University, the White Cliffs Solar Power Station was a pioneering project that became the world’s first commercial solar thermal power plant.
• The facility, which provided electricity to a remote outback town using 14 parabolic dishes, has been officially recognized for its historical significance with a listing on the State Heritage Register.
• A dedicated community group led by a former tourist is now working to preserve the site’s unique infrastructure to ensure its legacy in the renewable energy industry is maintained.

What began in 1981 as a scientific experiment by the Australian National University eventually evolved into a global milestone. With financial backing from the New South Wales government, researchers set out to explore the potential of solar thermal power. Their efforts resulted in the creation of a commercial solar power station in White Cliffs, a remote outback town that, at the time, lacked any source of electricity.

Decades later, the rich history and pioneering spirit of the White Cliffs Solar Power Station have been officially recognized with a listing on the State Heritage Register. However, this prestigious honor might never have come to pass if the site hadn’t caught the eye of a curious visitor eight years ago.

Graeme Hanigan had never heard of the station before he and his wife drove into north-western NSW. As they crested the hills overlooking the town, they were struck by the sight of 14 massive parabolic dishes shimmering in the sun. Given his professional background in satellite communications, Hanigan was immediately captivated by the technology and realized its historical significance. He walked away from a tour of the facility convinced that the site was a treasure that needed to be saved.

Determined to protect the station’s legacy, Hanigan founded the White Cliffs Solar Thermal Power Station Friends Inc. The group was established to preserve the site and honor its status as a world leader in renewable technology. Hanigan noted that while the station has survived for decades through sheer luck, it remains vulnerable to the elements. Without active care, he fears the facility will eventually rust and degrade, suffering the same fate as many other early solar research plants around the world.

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