Thursday 2 September 2010

Victoria to hasten renewables plan

Summaries - Australian Financial Review
Wednesday 25/8/2010 Page: 6

To lower reliance on coal, Victorian Energy Minister Peter Batchelor revealed planning changes to approval procedures for renewable energy projects. Approval for the $484 million Union Fenosa Berrybank wind farm was announced with Mr Batchelor's statement.

The state Labor government set a 20% greenhouse emissions target by 2020, which has been supported by legislation currently before the state Parliament. To meet the target, the government have introduced a phased shutdown of the Hazelwood power station. Mr Batchelor and Victorian Premier John Brumby are hoping other projects will fill the capacity void created by the closing of the state's highest polluting power station.

Shah Mohajerani, engineering manager at Union Fenosa said decisions on five projects in Victoria were yet to be made. The Crookwell 292MW project was the closest venture to proceeding, but was delayed by the over saturation of Renewable Energy Certificates which made it commercially unviable for now, according to Mr Mohajerani.

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