The Mercury, Page: 13
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
TASMANIA should follow the lead of Victoria and provide incentives for renewable energy generation, says a former Hydro Tasmania chairman. This week Victoria detailed a scheme to obtain 10 per cent of its energy from renewable sources - in contrast to a federal move away from renewable sources. Former Hydro chairman Peter Rae, now chair of Renewable Energy Generators of Australia, said Tasmania should look at its own incentives for clean energy. Mr Rae said with Tasmania's energy supply almost totally renewable, any impetus for development would have to take some other form.
"But Tasmania could join in projects to encourage further development, and there is an opportunity with the Musselroe wind farm which has stalled," Mr Rae said. The Victorian move is expected to stimulate local energy development up to its 2016 deadline, similar to the now complete Federal Mandatory Renewable Energy Target . The interstate move has been welcomed by Tasmanian wind energy company Roaring 40s which says it should encourage Canberra to sustain the momentum. Roaring 40s managing director Mark Kelleher said the Victorian Government should be congratulated for promoting sustained investment in renewable energy.
"However, while the news is good for those developers operating in Victoria, further work is now needed at the federal level to ensure that Australia builds a national renewable energy industry that can provide the necessary response to climate change and maintain the momentum started under the MRET scheme," Mr Kelleher said. "Australia has some of the world's best renewable resources, including wind which is the fastest growing energy source in the world. "REGA believes developing more renewable energy can simultaneously improve supply and reduce the impact of greenhouse gases. Mr Rae said the commitment to renewable energy was endorsed by the G8 meeting in St Petersburg this week.
Tasmanian Energy Minister David Llewellyn welcomed the Victorian legislation. "I hope it will provide investment opportunities for Roaring 40s in Victoria," Mr Llewellyn said.
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