Wind power blows into town

Northern Guardian
Wednesday 13/8/2008 Page: 3

Carnarvon is now officially part of the sustainable energy industry. The wind turbine started churning last Thursday at Solex Solar Farm. Solar farm owner and operator Lex Fullarton, who pioneered the solar industry in Carnarvon and largely responsible for an increasing number of Carnarvonites installing solar panels at their homes, said he believes the Gascoyne has the best natural environment in the world for generating sustainable energy.

"With the amount of sunshine and we receive here, the potential for us becoming a hub of solar and wind energy production is enormous," Mr Fullarton said. After only 12 hours in operation, Mr Fullarton said the turbine wasn't producing as much energy as he'd hoped, but said he would wait before making a true assessment.

"After a few months I should be able to provide a more accurate picture of the potential for further development," Mr Fullarton said. The State government has allocated $68 million for a new power station in the Gascoyne, and a percentage of energy produced at the new station must come from renewable sources. Installation of wind turbines at Coral Bay a year ago means the town is powered in large part by wind energy.