Wind farm on international stage

Stawell Times News
Friday 17/11/2006, Page: 7

ARARAT - The Challicum Hills windfarm returned Ararat to the international stage last week.

A group of dignitaries including Chile's Minister for Mining and Energy.

Karen Poniachik, the Australian Trade Commissioner for Chile Nigel Warren and Pacific Hydro's CEO Rob Grant, enjoyed a day tour of the area.

The trip to Ararat, part of their Australian tour to Melbourne. Sydney and Newcastle was initiated by Pacific Hydro, operators of Challicum Hills as an opportunity for the Minister to view first hand Australia's largest wind farm with the hope that Chile will soon follow suit.

Chile's traditional source of energy has been natural gas, however as explained by the Minister, the Chilean Government's goal is to ensure that by 2010, 15 percent of the new installed capacity originates from renewable energy through a variety of sources including wind farms.

It is interesting to look at Australia as a model," the Minister said.

"In Chile we have renewable energy operations using biomass and mini hydro with the river however we are now looking at renewable energy through solar and wind. Currently we are measuring the wind capacity." The Victoria Government's Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) is another aspect Chile is interested in examining as a potential model to build on. with plans for the Chilean ministry to meet with the Victorian State Government to discuss VRET's framework.

Pacific Hydro's CEO Rob Grant described Chile's progress as 'leading the charge in exporting the idea.' describing the idea of applying the same VRET model in Chile as 'really encouraging'.

As part of the tour the group was able to enjoy the sights and tastes of Ararat with a luncheon shared with Rural City CEO Bill Braithwaite and Mayor Ian Wilson. It is significant that the Minister sought to come to Ararat, as we are now recognised as a leader across the State in renewable energy." Mr Braithwaite said.

The afternoon concluded with a road trip to Challicum Hills and a helicopter ride back to Melbourne.