French energy company Engie is looking to develop new solar plants in Australia as it prepares to shut down Victoria's Hazelwood coal-fired power plant.
The company has advertised for Australian developers to come to them with solar energy proposals by February 10.
Engie plans to invest in the projects and start building new solar plants, shifting their focus away from coal-based generation.
"Engie in Australia is seeking proposals for large scale solar developments to take 100 per cent ownership," a spokesman told AAP on Tuesday.
"If suitable sites are identified, Engie aims to develop these projects into operational solar plants."
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Late last year Engie announced it would shut down the Latrobe Valley's Hazelwood coal mine and power plant in March.
It said it was "no longer economic to operate" Hazelwood, and follow's the company's global decision to get out of fossil fuels.
About 750 workers, including contractors, will be directly affected by the closure in an area where eight per cent of the population is already unemployed.
A $266 million support package for workers and the region was announced by the government last year.
Engie has not revealed if any companies have submitted any solar proposals yet, saying it "has only just gone to the market" with the advertisement.
The Hazelwood station provides more than 20 per cent of Victoria's electricity.
