Australia is known for a few things —Crocodile Dundee, Fosters, koalas, and, um, other koalas—but starting soon, Australia will also be known for building the world’s largest solar power plant.

The plant, which was announced just today, will be three times bigger than today’s largest plant, and will cost just over a billion dollars (American) to build. Says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd:

We are doing it in order to support a clean energy future for Australia, we’re doing it to boost economic activity now and we’re doing it also to provide jobs and much needed opportunities for business as well. [Reuters]

The 1.4 billion (Australian) being spent on the plant is part of a larger, 4.65 billion (also Australian) government expenditure in clean energy initiatives. This plant isn’t happening tomorrow, though—more details will be unveiled later in the year, and the contract will be awarded to bidders sometime next year. But once it does come online, the plant will be the start of a solar power network throughout the country, which could revolutionize the country’s energy use.

The project should eventually lead to a network of solar-powered stations across the country, Rudd said, with locations chosen to fit in with the existing electricity grid and ensure good access to sunshine.
As Rudd says, Australia wants to be a clean energy leader, not a clean energy follower. Good on them.