Wednesday 18/3/2009 Page: 17
Barcoo Shire in Queensland's far southwest is bigger than Tasmania with a population of just a few hundred. But that has not stopped it becoming an Australian leader in alternative energy production. Instead of relying on diesel-powered generators, Windorah, one of three towns in the shire, draws much of its energy from the sun.A bank of collectors allows Ergon Energy to power the town of 90 people, although they still require a diesel backup during prolonged cloudy conditions. Barcoo Shire Mayor Bruce Scott said the five collectors, which cost Ergon $4 million, were so successful the energy company was now considering a plant for Jundah, the shire headquarters.
"Because of the success at Windorah, where the fuel bill has been cut dramatically, the shire is now looking at ways to use solar energy in the Jundah administration centre and the sports complex," Cr Scott said. "Eventually the council and the power generator are looking towards providing 300 kWs for the town of 120." Cr Scott said the Windorah success suggested other remote communities should "follow suit and tap into the sun's energy".
"If we are to meet Kyoto (commitments to cut global warming) we need to find alternative energy sources sooner, rather than later," he said. "Governments really need to expand their thinking and perhaps look at geothermal power to run baseload electricity generation stations." Cr Scott said his shire considered itself to be "clean and green for living" with its produce cattle "grass-fed without any insecticides or the other nasties".
"We see solar technology as just part of that environment," he said. "We may be a long way from Brisbane and Canberra but we are proud that, with Ergon, we are showing a clean way."
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