Moving forward like the wind

Circular Head Chronicle
Wednesday 17/10/2007 Page: 21

TASMANIA will embark on a $50 million investment in wind energy development to play a leading role in the international fight against climate change, Premier Paul Lennon announced this week. Mr Lennon announced in his State of the State speech that Hydro Tasmania would receive a cash injection to enable it to take a further equity interest in Roaring 40s, a joint venture company with China Light and Power. He said the funds would enable Roaring 40s to develop new wind energy projects in China that would help tackle the country's high rate of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Premier said Tasmania had the chance to stamp itself as the world leader in renewable wind energy and the $50 million funding transfer was only the beginning of a potentially much bigger investment. "This will be one of the single-biggest investments in renewable wind technology by a state government in Australian history," Mr Lennon said. "It will also enable Roaring 40s to export more of its technological expertise to wind-farming projects, particularly in China.

"It will highlight again what an important part Tasmania can play in the global community. We are investing in better renewable energy outcomes for Tasmania while helping the rest of the world with our skills, experience and leadership. Tasmania will be exporting innovative solutions to world problems." Funds for the wind energy expansion will be transferred from Transend Networks to Hydro Tasmania to allow Roaring 40s to capitalise on immediate growth opportunities.

"Transend's balance sheet is among the strongest in the National Electricity Market and this move will give Roaring 40s, a business half owned by the people of Tasmania, the chance to build a renewable energy future right across the Asian region," the Premier said. "We are investing in the future of wind-generated electricity at home and abroad. This investment will support Roaring 40s to expand alternative energy options here in Tasmania." Mr Lennon said energy use was one of the biggest contributors to climate change and innovation was required to overcome the challenges it presented.

"There is no doubt that climate change is the single greatest threat facing our planet," he said. "It is a challenge that requires urgent action, no matter where we live. "Projections tell us there will be a major warming of the earth's average surface temperatures by the year 2100. The risks to our communities are considerable. The changes caused by global warming will affect Tasmania's temperature and wind and rainfall patterns." Mr Lennon said Tasmania was fortunate to be located directly in the path of one of the strongest and most consistent air-streams in the world, the roaring forties.

"Tasmania is uniquely-positioned to be a world leader in this area and under this Government, we will seize that opportunity," he said. "In Tasmania, our geography and climate give us tremendous natural advantages. "Our hydro dams mean that Tasmanian energy has for decades been produced in a renewable way. While other Australian states have relied on the burning of coal and fossil fuels, Tasmania has harnessed the forces of nature to produce clean energy." "But we can do still better. The next step in our development is to better harness another geographical advantage that Tasmania enjoys."