Wimmera Mail Times
Friday 22/9/2006, Page: 20
0n Wednesday we broke news that the Wimmera was in the running for a huge solar power station being planned by Melbourne company Solar Systems. The company confirmed it wants to build a solar station in north western Victoria, but is yet to settle on a site.
The station will be even bigger than groundbreaking stations already pumping 'environmentally friendly' power into thousands of homes in the Northern Territory. Solar Systems has built three solar stations in the territory, incorporating 30 dish-shaped mirrors which track the sun and focus and multiply its rays to create energy.
The company estimates the stations can save 420,000 litres of diesel a year and 1550 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. On the surface, solar energy is far more environmentally neutral than coal-fired power stations, it does not rely on damming waterways, it does not have the problems associated with nuclear power, and it does not chop up the occasional bird or make noise like wind farms.
As we said, a Victorian site is yet to be decided but it will be in northwestern Victoria and the Wimmera is in the running. If the Wimmera wants to be part of this - excuse the pun, sunrise industry, we must be on the front foot in putting our name forward to Solar Systems and the State Government. Wimmera Development Association has hit the ground running by launching an investigation into details of the project, and should be joined by a united bid from local government.
We have the sunshine, we have the space, we have the workforce. In these times of drought and gloom, it is good to see the possibility of a new, exciting and environmentally-beneficial industry.
0 comments:
Post a Comment