Monday 15/6/2009 Page: 12
VICTORIA is on the brink of a massive expansion in windfarms. Approval has been granted for 21 new farms, on top of the 13 already in operation. Their installation will more than triple the amount of power generated by wind from 428 MWs to 1554 MWs within the next two years, saving tens of millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases.Companies have completed extensive community consultation but are holding out for the national renewable energy target legislation to provide a better return for their investment. The legislation will require 20% of total electricity to be renewable by 2020, and could be passed this week. Renewable energy company Pacific Hydro already has several farms in operation and is poised to get started on most of its planned projects.
Executive manager corporate affairs Andrew Richards said it had been a long and frustrating wait. "We have been working on getting projects to investment readiness so that we are ready to go," he said. "As a company, we hope to triple our capacity in Victoria." Mr Richards said in coming years windfarms would attract investment of between $3 billion and $4 billion in Victoria.
Environment and Climate Change minister Gavin Jennings said Victoria paved the way for the national renewable energy target in 2006 when it set a target of 10% renewable energy by 2016. He wants to see the legislation passed as soon as possible so Victorians could start experiencing the benefits.
Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor said renewable energy industries would be a source of new jobs and economic activity. "The Brumby Labor Government looks forward to the expanded national RET being passed so investment in wind and other technologies continues to grow," he said.
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