Hobart Mercury
Monday 121712010 Page: 5
THE final stage of the installation of the nation's most powerful wind turbines on a commercial building was halted yesterday by strong wind in Hobart. The ironic turn of events unfolded when a gusty northerly wind forced workers to down tools atop the Marine Board building about 11am. Project manager Rob Manson said workers managed to install poles for two of the four vertical turbines which will generate 10% of the building's power.
However, Mr Manson, who is also the I Want Energy corporate manager, said conditions were tipped to improve by the end of the week. "It is a very ironic situation that the very reason we're installing these turbines is also the reason why we were unable to complete the work. It just justifies the reason why they are ideal". He said. "But hopefully, looking at the outlook, conditions are set to improve and we should have all four in place by the end of the week".
The Marine Board building is the first of three southern Tasmanian businesses set to harness the natural resource. The ANZ building in Hobart is expected to have turbines installed by October and Lindisfarne Medical Centre's installation should be complete by the end of the year. Mr Manson said more and more businesses and homeowners were wising up to renewable energy. "We are getting multiple calls every day - businesses, institutions and homeowners". He said. "We've installed 20 turbines in Tasmanian residences in the past 18 months and the commercial sector is starting to really pick up too".
Mr Manson said it was not only a great move for the environment but also for Tasmania, with the expansion of the sector set to create jobs. "At the moment the turbines are constructed in Shanghai [China] but we have an opportunity to create a manufacturing industry in Tasmania", he said. "We're not trying to create products to compete in places like Europe, but specifically for our country. "At the moment, every school in Australia has access to a $50.000 renewable energy grant, so that could create a great opportunity. It could be perfect timing, given the skilled welders who will be out of work when Austal Ships closes up soon". Alternative Energy Minister Nick McKim praised developer Robert Rockefeller, who owns the Marine Board and ANZ buildings, for delivering renewable energy sources in Hobart.
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