$200m plan in the wind

Newcastle Herald
Tuesday 31/7/2007 Page: 11

DEVELOPERS behind the biggest renewable energy centre in NSW hope to receive State Government approval for the $200 million Upper Hunter project in six months. Pamada spokesman Mark Dixon has confirmed Government officials are considering a masterplan for the Kyoto Energy Park on agricultural land west of Scone. The proposal includes 47 wind turbines, a solar thermal generator and closed-loop hydro power station, with a total renewable energy output of up to 200 million watts, enough electricity to run 90,000 homes.

The Herald reported in January a first stage application for the wind turbines had been lodged with the Government that month. Mr Dixon last week said the application had been amended to cover the entire proposal. He said the project would employ 2500 construction workers for up to 12 months, and 15 workers permanently. By replacing coal-fired electricity, the centre will reduce climate changing greenhouse gas pollution by 800,000 tonnes a year.

Upper Hunter Shire Council environment committee chairman Peter Hodges believed the vast majority of Upper Hunter residents supported the plan. "I think the concept has tremendous merit and I live about three or four kilometres from where it will be built," he said. "I know there has been some criticism of the idea, but I think wind turbines are more aesthetically pleasing than any open-cut coalmine mullock heap. "It's a matter of perspective, I have a friend in Germany who says nobody notices the 17,000 wind turbines in his area and everyone appreciates and benefits from the clean enemy they produce."

Mr Dixon said developers were working on a series of environmental assessments including noise, flora and fauna, and traffic, and were also involved in community consultation. We want to explain the details so people of this area understand exactly what is planned," he said.