Renewed focus on clean energy

Burnie Advocate
17/01/2008 Page: 22

THE future is looking bright for the renewable energy sector. Climate change has been a dominant topic in national and international government and during the election campaign it was a highly talked about issue. The Labor party promised to promote renewable energy and, now elected, it is following through.

Roaring 40s general counsel Matthew Groom said a series of Federal Government initiatives were a direct response to a growing awareness in the public. Climate change has become an issue for people generally." he said. Mr Groom said the initiatives in place were the expansion of renewable energy schemes, emissions trading and the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. "That collection of initiatives will have an impact on climate change in Australia," he said.

Roaring 40s works nationally and internationally, including the Woolnorth Wind Farm in North-West Tasmania. Mr Groom said these initiatives did not affect Woolnorth specifically but assured the future for other projects. The next Tasmanian project for the company is Musselroe in the North East.

Mr Groom said the government's initiatives made the project more certain. It would have a similar effect on a project it was planning in South Australia. "The potential impact for a company like ours is really quite broad. "We're very confident for the future of renewable energy." Roaring 40s was not looking to expand the Woolnorth farm. Mr Groom said the farm was currently one of the most successful in the world. 'We're very proud of Woolnorth and are happy as is."