HARNESSING THE SUN: An artist's impression of 24Ha a solar farm at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast. The Isis River solar farm will be around 7 times the size.

HARNESSING THE SUN: An artist's impression of 24Ha a solar farm at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast. The Isis River solar farm will be around 7 times the size. Contributed

THERE could be a new energy generator in the region - Mackay Regional Council.

The council could follow the lead of another major council in building a solar farm.

Sunshine Coast Council switched on its $50.4 million, 15Mw solar farm last month and while it did it for green reasons, it's expected to deliver a $22 million in savings over 30 years, after costs.

According to the developers of that project, it will generate enough power for the entire needs of the council and some, with excess returning to the grid.

Mackay council is talking with three parties to consider if a solar farm was cost effective for its ratepayers and an option to help it reduce its annual $7 million electricity bill.

In December the council sought expressions of interest for renewable energy projects that could help it reduce its energy bill; a solar farm was one of the options that was being considered.

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Chief executive officer Craig Doyle said he expected a final report within the next two months.

"We are not far away from a decision,” Mr Doyle said.

He has been briefed on the solar farm on the Sunshine Coast during a recent visit to the council there, but the council had its own reasons for building the solar farm, that differed from the council in Mackay.

"A solar farm has to be cost effective. We are looking at ways of reducing costs, and being value for money for ratepayers,” he said.

"We want to save money.”

That is why the council also has a "Plan B” if the major project is not viable, and it has already started to implement that, including installing more energy efficient lightbulbs in the city centre. Another option is to have solar panels at council sites on the roof.

The council's Mirani depot was a good example where energy use is mostly during the day, and grid electricity could be supplemented with solar panels at site. The replacement of light bulbs in the city centre would save the council up to $40,000 a year.

Downer Utilities designed, build and manage the solar farm on the Sunshine Coast but would not say if they had been in contact with the Mackay council about a solar farm in the region.