Wednesday 12 July 2006

Wind power decision

Northern Guardian, Page: 1
Wednesday, 12 July 2006

The dunes at Coral Bay, a kilometre south of the settlement, are the likely site for three 55-metre wind turbines if the Environmental Protection Authority passes the Horizon Power assessment this month.

THE location of three giant wind turbines that will tower over Coral Bay is expected to be decided later this month. The two sites nominated for the 55-metre towers, capable of supplying 40 per cent of the town's electricity, are undergoing final assessment by the Environmental Protection Authority.

Horizon Power corporate affairs manager John Kitis said the preferred site, located a kilometre south of the settlement on top of sand dunes would be 15 per cent more efficient than the second nominated site. The efficiency meant 70,000 additional litres of diesel fuel would be needed to generate the difference each year. Mr Kitis said this would significantly increase the power station's ongoing costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Members of the community concerned about the visual impact of the new station requested the evaluation of the second site 500 metres east of the dune site.

Despite costs of infrastructure being more expensive at the dune site, Mr Kitis said these were outweighed by its improved performance and energy yield. "We investigated a number of sites and that was the best site from a range of criteria," he said. Mr Kitis said the visual impact created by wind turbines was not always negative. "They do become a drawcard for tourists," he said.

"People are intrigued by wind turbines." If the EPA deems the preferred dune site to be inappropriate, the proposal could be resubmitted with the alternative site being put forward for consideration. The proposal will be available for public comment after the assessment's completion.

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