"Thirty-eight registrants attended the Industry Consultation Session, held this morning, which marks the first formal step in the procurement process," he said.

"I am very encouraged by the strong level of interest from industry in establishing a large scale solar power facility in the ACT. The ACT Government is strongly committed to investing in renewable energy and in making the ACT the solar capital. Our interest in establishing a solar power facility received a boost when a feasibility study undertaken last year indicated that a solar power facility was feasible in the ACT," Mr Corbell said.

"Following this study, the ACT Government took steps to test the market to ensure it received the widest range of proposals possible. The Government has also pledged $30 million towards the construction of a solar power facility."

The Government was seeking to employ commercially proven technology and was not committed to any particular technology or operating model at this stage.

"The Government has indicated it is seeking proposals for the development and implementation of a facility with a minimum capacity of 80,000 megawatt hours per annum which would produce enough power for at least 10,000 homes in the ACT," Mr Corbell said.

Community consultation would play an important role in the process, including site selection.

"The Government recognises the importance of fully engaging with the community on a project of this scope and significance, and most particularly in relation to the potential siting of the facility, Mr Corbell said.

"We will shortly announce the details of the community consultation process and look forward to receiving community feedback on all aspects of the proposal.

The Government expects to formally call for Expressions of Interest around the end of March with a Request for Proposals process to begin around July 2009. Mr Corbell said he anticipates an announcement about the successful proponent could take place at the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010.

For further information on the proposed ACT solar farm visit http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/actsolarfarm or for procurement inquiries please visit http://www.procurement.act.gov.au/.