Thursday 27 July 2006

Wind farmers hope for shift in renewable energy targets

abc.net.au
Wednesday, 26 July 2006. 15:32 (AEDT)

The wind farm sector is holding out some hope the Federal Government will consider alternative renewable energy targets.

Roaring Forties managing director, Mark Kelleher, says industry representatives have been meeting key players in Canberra. Mr Kelleher says while the Federal Government will not increase Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets (MRET) there could be other avenues yet to be explored."We've been slightly encouraged by the fact that they're definitely acknowledging that they understand the situation the industry's in and which it's about to close unless something's done," he said."Whilst it's clear they won't change their mind about increasing MRET they've indicated some open mindedness to some alternative mechanisms.

"Roaring Forties has put its Heemskirk wind farm project on the west coast of Tasmania on hold because of the Federal Government's decision not to lift renewable energy targets. Roaring Forties is talking to the Tasmanian Government about introducing legislation to increase renewable energy targets. The Victorian Government is to impose its own renewable energy targets. Mr Kelleher says there has been good discussions with the State Government about setting renewable targets locally.

"As Victoria's done we're talking to them about that," he said."We've had Energy Minister [David Lewellyn] take the baton in his hand and went up and had direct talks with the federal Industry Minister [Ian] Macfarlane to see what could be done to enable some further projects to go ahead here, and in particular for Musselroe," Mr Kelleher said. Meanwhile, representatives from Roaring Forties will go to China in October to showcase its achievements. Mr Kelleher says the company's had great success in China since entering that market a year ago.

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