Renewable energy industry neglected

Adelaide Advertiser
08/08/2007 Page: 16

THE Rann Government has a two-faced approach to the environment and renewable energy. On the one hand, it is attempting to take credit for a small boom in sustainable energy projects now happening in South Australia (various hot-rocks developments in the Far North and new wind farms at Hallett, Snowtown, Lake Bonney and, possibly soon, Crystal Brook and Waterloo). On the other hand, it refuses to mandate a renewable energy target.

In fact, the growth in wind-farm construction in SA is being pushed by the New South Wales Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. SA is fortunate in having naturally good wind resources, while NSW is less well endowed. The industry is expecting NSW to buy SA wind electricity to fulfil NSW targets. The Rann Government is spending money on symbolic gestures, such as mini wind turbines and small solar panels on public buildings, while neglecting the potentially huge, but less visible, renewable energy industry.