Time to catch the wind

Herald Sun
Tuesday 9/10/2007 Page: 8

AUSTRALIA is in danger of being left behind in the multibillion dollar renewable energy market, the head of the world's leading wind energy organisation said yesterday. A national approach to renewable energy is needed in Australia to replace the patchwork of state-based targets, Global Wind Energy Council secretary-general Steve Sawyer told the Herald Sun. "There needs to be a federal system to encourage development quickly across the states. You need a clear framework," he said.

He called on the Federal Government to significantly boost the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target from 2 per cent to encourage investment in renewable energy. He said it was not too late to reap the financial benefits from the renewable energy sector, which is booming in China and the US. "Australia can get in on that boom, but there needs to be a clear government commitment to set frameworks to attract investment," Mr Sawyer said. Total investment in new wind energy plants and equipment was about $23 billion last year and is expected to grow to $30 billion this year. Mr Sawyer will speak about the global state of the wind energy industry at the Auswind 2007 conference, which starts in Melbourne today.