Matter of facts in green power play

Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday 1/5/2007 Page: 12

John Howard says renewable energy can't meet Australia's electricity needs but scientists and other experts disagree.
The claim by the Prime Minister, John Howard, that only coal or nuclear energy can meet the nation's power needs has been condemned as "an outrageous furphy". Speaking at the weekend, Howard said: "There are only two ways that you can run power stations, generate base-load power in this country. You can do it on fossil fuel or... with nuclear power."

But advocates of renewable energy say the Prime Minister is wrong and that wind energy and bioenergy - the burning of waste from agricultural crops - could meet half Australia's electricity demand within 40 years. If all forms of promising renewable energy sources, including solar and geothermal power, were developed, all Australia's electricity demand could be met within 50 years.

Mark Diesendorf, from the University of New South Wales's Institute of Environmental Studies, says renewable energy experts "should be screaming from the rooftops" over Howard's comments. Ric Brazzale, the executive director of the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy, describes Howard's remarks as "frustrating".

Diesendorf says no single renewable energy source offers the solution. However, a mix of different technologies, combined with curbs on energy waste, would work. He estimates that because of wind fluctuations at any particular site, a wind farm with 1300 turbines, each generating up to two megawatts - a total of 2600 megawatts - would reliably replace a 1000 megawatt coalfired plant.

"Although a single wind turbine is indeed intermittent," Diesendorf says, "this is generally not true of a system of several wind farms, separated by several hundred kilometres and experiencing different wind regimes." Wind power could meet 20 per cent of Australia's base-load demand by 2040. Another 30 per cent could be met by a network of small generators burning agricultural leftovers from sugar and wheat crops, and plantation forests.

"We could be 100 per cent renewable by the middle of the century" if other technologies, such as solar thermal and geothermal were also pursued, Diesendorf says. While using batteries to store electricity generated by solar cells remains expensive, solar energy could heat water, rocks or even salt during the day. The heat could be used at night to drive turbines. Geothermal technology, in which turbines are driven by water pumped through naturally hot rocks under the ground, also offered "a huge potential".

Diesendorf estimates that while three-quarters of Australian homes could use solar hot water systems, only 5 per cent have them. Peak afternoon energy demand for air-conditioners could be slashed by encouraging people to install solar panels facing the north-west. "What we cant do," he says,"is allow demand to double and redouble every few years. There is a huge amount of energy waste." Insulation and highly efficient electric motors could make significant cuts in demand.

Brazzale, who represents 300 companies with investments or interest in renewable power, estimates 17 per cent of South Australia's power will be wind-generated by the end of next year. "Why can't the rest of us do it?" he asks, calling for a national renewable energy target of 20 per cent by 2020 - more than double Australia's current capacity. Photovoltaic solar panels would have "no problem" eventually meeting 30 per cent of national demand.

$180,000 rates windfall

Border Watch
Tuesday 1/5/2007 Page: 10

Glenelg Shire Council and Pacific Hydro have completed the rate agreement for the Portland Wind Energy Project. Shire Mayor Gilbert Wilson said council had actively participated in the State Government's review process of the rating of electricity in Victoria, which was undertaken in 2004 and 2005. The review applied to all electricity generators located in about 15 Victorian municipalities, including coal, hydro, gas and wind generators.

"Together with the Moyne Shire and the Ararat Rural City, the Glenelg Shire took an active approach by advocating for an appropriate rating mechanism for electricity generators, especially given the proposed development of Pacific Hydro's Portland Wind Energy Project," Cr Wilson said. "The Review Panel received a diverse range of submissions from municipalities, electricity generators and industry groups and conducted public hearings.

"Unfortunately, the panel and the State Government did not accept the rating formula suggested by a number of councils." Following receipt of the panel's final report, the State Government amended the Electricity Industry Act (Section 94) to incorporate a formula for the consistent rating of all electricity generators in Victoria.

In summary, the formula specifies a base initial payment of $40,000 plus $900 per megawatt capacity indexed by CPI annually. "Unlike the rate agreements for other large industries, the proposed rate agreement with Pacific Hydro is a procedural document, as the financial formula is prescribed by legislation and cannot be negotiated," Cr Wilson said.

Based on the total number of wind generation towers indicated on the maps provided by Pacific Hydro for the Glenelg Shire section of the Portland Wind Energy Project and the proposed megawatt capacity of the project, the estimated payment in lieu of rates will be around $180,400 per annum with annual CPI increases. However, if the Portland Wind Energy project is built in stages over more than one financial year, the amount will be calculated on a pro rata basis based on the actual installed megawatt capacity.

Protest signs stolen

Ballarat Courier
Tuesday 1/5/2007 Page: 3

THE repeated thefts of protest signs against a proposed windfarm development near Smeaton has angered the Spa Country Landscape Guardians group. The group represents residents and landholders opposed to the proposal of 19 turbines to be constructed near their town. SCLG spokesman Will Elsworth said about 40 signs had either been pulled down or stolen and the thefts would be reported to police.

We are very concerned at the community cohesion and a potential breakdown," Mr Elsworth said. "Many people opposed to the development have been here for years and put a lot into the community and it's easy to tear the fabric of the community apart. We find it ironic proponents are happy to pull down a small sign, but are willing to host a turbine stretching into the sky."

However, one Smeaton resident has said he believed the Spa Country Landscape Guardians group was part of a noisy minority and opponents needed to look to the future of clean energy. Rob Talbot said he would be happy to host a turbine on his land and it made sense to have the turbines near Smeaton. "Wind power makes sense," he said. "I don't know whether the opposition is politically-based. I have been up close to them and you can hardly hear them. They look picturesque and when you see them you can see that something is actually being done to reduce our green house gases. I'd have one on my property."

Hepburn Shire councillor Tim Hayes said the council had not received a planning application from the developer, Wind Power, and until then residents needed to be patient.

Market key to climate change

Australian Financial Review
Tuesday 1/5/2007 Page: 8

Ross Garnaut, the head of the states' inquiry into the economics of climate change advocates a market-based approach to greenhouse gas abatement, and warns against governments favouring options such as carbon sequestration, nuclear energy or wind energy. The Australian National University professor says the cheapest solution to climate change would be a global 'cap and trade' regime in which a decision was made on total global emissions and quotas were allocated between countries and then traded internationally.

Mr Garnaut argues that although Australia could potentially be a big loser among rich countries from global warming, it has a strong interest in galvanising international support for a global effort to control greenhouse emissions and could benefit from the development of an efficient global regime, especially if energy-intensive exporters such as Alcoa are compensated so their international competitiveness is not adversely affected by differences in countries' greenhouse regimes. However, he expresses reservations about the Business Council of Australia's argument that industry should be given emission permits free of charge, preferring to see the money raised from auctioning permits directed to financing tax cuts or tax reform.

Mr Garnaut concedes nuclear power and sequestration of carbon dioxide in thermal power as well as renewable technologies such as wind energy potentially have a place in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but warns governments against trying to guess which technologies are going to be 'great winners' or granting public research funding to vested interests. He says with the right incentives and investment in research and development, industry will find cheaper and diverse ways of producing the same things with less emissions, while an eventual move towards targeting the emissions of energy users rather than energy exporters will see a more balanced quota distribution system based on population emerge.

Wind farm decision deferred

Hamilton Spectator
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 5

A DECISION by Moyne Shire Council to grant a permit for the $49 million Salt Creek Wind farm has been deferred at the request of the proponent. Moyne Shire Mayor, Gerald Madden, said it had been deferred until a later time on the basis that the proponent had only in recent days got feedback from the DSE and needed to confer with the DSE.

NewEn Australia project manager. Grant Flynn, said the company, which is the wind farm proponent, had only received the proposed planning permit conditions from the DSE on Good Friday and needed to respond by Easter Tuesday. "We'll have a meeting with the DSE and shire next week," Mr Flynn said.

The wind farm would consist of 13 to 15 wind turbines and would generate approximately 29.9 megawatts, which would be three per cent of Victoria's renewable energy target. With regards to the Woolsthorpe Wind Farm, the Council has rejected a recommendation from the planning department to forward a submission of the proposal to the planning minister.

The council sent a submission to the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, that it does not support the wind farm in its current form. The decision was made on the basis that council felt there was an over proliferation of turbines for the site, they were concerned that three turbines located 60m from the Woolsthorpe-Heywood Rd could cause shadow flicker on the road which might be dangerous for motorists and the proximity of turbines to neighbouring boundaries caused concern. "We would hope the Minister will take note of our concerns." Cr Madden said.

Wind Farm Development project manager, Jonathan Upson, said he was certainly very disappointed that the council had taken its decision but they will take the concerns of council and the three objectors on board and try to at least partly address them. The decision to go-ahead with the wind farm will ultimately be made by the Victorian Government. The proposed $85 million development consists of 20 turbines and will generate 40 megawatts of energy and Mr Upson said on an open day a large number of people supported the project.

Wind Farm Developments have approached the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review a separate permit application regarding the removal of native grasses which for the construction of a distribution line for the wind farm after no decision to grant the permit was made in 60 days.

Wind farm open

Port Lincoln Times
Thursday 26/4/2007 Page: 2

WIND energy may be the way of the future and the public is invited to come and see why at an open day at the region's first wind farm, Cathedral Rocks near Sleaford. With absolutely no emissions, wind farm energy is the way of the future, according to Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm facilities manager John Fannin.

Mr Fannin said wind farms in Australia had huge potential, with large areas of land earmarked for development, but these were currently in limbo because of a lack of support from the Federal Government for renewable energy and a low Mandatory Renewable Energy Target.

"There could be a big wind industry in Port Lincoln as a number of developers are waiting on the sideline for changes to government policy so they can build. "Australia is so far behind the rest of the world - Europe is doing it, America's doing it, China's doing it. "China is a developing country and they can see the future is in the wind and one day in the very near future they will be one of the superpowers in the wind industry - a lot of money is being invested on wind farms at the moment in China.

There are 17,000 people working in the wind farm industry in Australia, but there could be at least 33,000 and investment of over $30 billion if the Federal Government backed the wind industry and the renewable energy sector according to Mr Fannin. The push for clean energy was being helped along by public opinion, which is swaying strongly toward environmental awareness.

"I think people are concerned about global warming and our biggest threat is changes to the environment. "We need to do everything we can to stop this. "We can't keep producing the majority of Australia's energy from fossil fuels.

At maximum capacity the Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm generates 66 megawatts of green energy - more than enough green electricity to power Port Lincoln and surrounding districts. Mr Fannin said while some community and school groups had been taken on tours of the site, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held with State Government minister Patrick Conlon prior to construction in late 2005, an official open day had not yet been held.

"When the public gets off the bus at the wind turbine they will feel the strong wind coming off the southern ocean, they can stand under the rotating blades of a wind turbine and hear for themselves that these machines aren't at all noisy." Mr Fannin said he was hoping the community would show its support and turn up on the day. "I hope to see somewhere between 500 to 2500 people come through the gates - the more the better.

The Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm, about 30 kilometres south-west of Port Lincoln, is a joint venture project between Acciona Energy and Roaring 40s. It will be open to the general public on May 5 from 10am to 3pm, with guided bus tours of the wind farm leaving every 10 to 15 minutes from the site's car park.

Entry is free with a gold coin donation for parking going to the Port Lincoln State Emergency Service. Visitors are expected to wear enclosed shoes for safety reasons.

Council pockets $1m from wind

Warrnambool Standard
Saturday 28/4/2007 Page: 10

WIND turbines are set to generate a $1 million rates windfall for Moyne Shire each year, becoming its biggest industrial money spinner. With two up and running and as many as eight on the drawing board, wind farms are set to deliver a major boost to the shire's income. Pacific Hydro is the company behind Yambuk's 20-turbine facility and Codrington's 14-turbine project and the farms are the largest contributors to the council's coffers.

The Standard understands the company pays $123,380 in rates annually. The rates collected from Pacific Hydro are only the tip of the rate revenue iceberg. The shire expects to reap the benefits of unprecedented interest in wind energy in the area.

The State Government has approved the $600 million Macarthur wind development of 183-turbines. The project is expected to raise more than $300,000 annually for the shire if the company decides to proceed with the project. Other planned projects in the region include the controversial Woolsthorpe 20-turbine wind farm. This project if approved would contribute $76,000 in rates. A Hawkesdale development would inject $100,000. A 68-turbine development near Port Fairy would raise $165,000 a year in rates.

Sun and wind blow coaldust out of town

Sun Herald
Sunday 29/4/2007 Page: 7

BUSINESSES and residents in Scone hope a $45 million energy project planned for the Upper Hunter town will protect them from coalmining. Proponents of the Kyoto Energy Park say it will combine environmentally sustainable technologies to generate renewable energy for Scone and surrounding areas. The park will consist of up to 47 wind turbines and an experimental solar thermal system using a closed-loop hydroelectric generator, a scheme that uses elevation of natural water instead of catchment drops.

Scone Chamber of Business president Michael Johnsen said the park could protect the town from the threat of mining. "It's going to go a long way towards keeping coalmines off our doorsteps by creating a buffer on our west side that the mines can't encroach on," Mr Johnsen said. "It's going to help Scone maintain a generally green and clean image, and also for the surrounding areas. It should be a great tourist attraction for people to stop and have a look."

Kyoto project director Mark Sydney said the Scone community was excited by the proposal. "This is the Hunter Valley's chance to establish a symbol of their environmental values," Mr Sydney said. "I'm yet to meet someone who is against the idea. "We're providing the Upper Hunter with the opportunity to harness their unique geographical circumstances and do something positive in their backyard."

The park could produce "a significant power generation" of 200 megawatts "to support and supplement other energy". Mr Johnsen said the town's support would prove significant in the approval process, lodged under state significant planning provisions. "I think 97 per cent of the community think it's a great idea," Mr Johnsen said. "I live near where it's going to be built and I'm not concerned about the wind turbines because I think, would I rather look at this or a mine site? "The town is generally excited to be a part of it," he said.

Mr Sydney hopes the park will be one of many alternative energy projects in NSW as part of a more widespread cultural shift towards a clean energy future. "There's been a lot of positive progress towards renewable projects in the past six months," he said. "Overall the world is moving to embrace projects like this and it's a fabulous opportunity to have this in Scone?'

Kyoto Energy Park

• The proposed park will have up to 47 turbines.
• Australia's 27 wind farms contribute about 1 percent to our total electricity production.
• The largest operations are in South Australia (Wattle Point, Lake Bonney, Cathedral Rocks) and Western Australia (Alinta, Emu Downs).
• Wind power accounts for 20 per cent of electricity use in Denmark.

Nuclear energy on agenda

Maitland Mercury
Monday 30/4/2007 Page: 9

The United Nations Inte-rgovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is tipped to throw its weight behind nuclear energy as a means of mitigating global warming when it meets in Bangkok this week.

"In addition to renewable energy sources, nuclear power will be recommended by scientists as a lesser evil in terms of global warming," Wanum Permpibul of the Climate Action Group told The Nation newspaper.

From today until Friday, 80 of the world's leading experts on climate change will meet in Bangkok to debate the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report to 150 state representatives on policy recommendations to mitigate the impact of global warming, blamed primarily on consumption of carbon-based fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal.

The final report, after what is expected to be a heated debate among participants, will be made public on Friday. An IPCC endorsement for nuclear power would be controversial, given the strong opposition to the energy source by environmentalists and community-based organisations.

Thailand, for instance, currently relies heavily on natural gas for its electricity generation, but is moving towards coal power in the near future and nuclear within 13 years, according to government planners. "That (IPCC) recommendation will aid the pro-nuclear lobby:' Wanun said.

The IPCC conclusions in Bangkok will become an important reference for future negotiations on global warming such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The IPCC drew world attention to the reality of global warming in February at its Paris meeting and then highlighted the impact of the trend on populations, agriculture and species at a meeting in Brussels in early April.

At the Bangkok meeting, the IPCC report will focus on options for mitigating the trend.

Power void a real turn-off

Australian Financial Review
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 62

Blackouts, higher energy prices and misallocated resources: that's the chilling scenario painted by a government taskforce on Australia's energy future if federal and state governments do not opt for policies to create an efficient energy sector.

The Energy Reform Implementation Group's warning is a far cry from the recent media debate on energy, which has focused on the greenhouse gas problem of Australia's polluting coalburning power generation. ERIG says that unless energy markets are made more efficient via a combination of privatisation of government electricity agencies, less regulation and a truly national energy market, investors may be far less willing to put their money into new generation capacity.

Blackouts and higher prices are just some of the possible outcomes. Investment uncertainty also feeds into the greenhouse debate. ERIG and consultant KPMG make it clear that another "important barrier" to investment lies in the confusing multiplicity of state and federal greenhouse policies, and-the uncertainty of future constraints. Canberra alone has 80 different greenhouse programs. "ERIG was struck by the significant concerns raised by market participants about market uncertainty in relation to possible future greenhouse abatement schemes," the group says.

KPMG cited one potential investor as labelling greenhouse policies a "shambles", while another said investing in such circumstances would be akin to "gambling". One investor with billions of dollars to put into new base-load capacity told KPMG it had pulled out because greenhouse policies - or lack of them - meant "we could not value the potential impact with any degree of certainty".

It is not just energy suppliers getting nervous. KPMG reports that major energy users may be more likely to invest offshore in the absence of greater certainty on greenhouse policy here. "The risk is that the federal government's efforts to avoid sending industries and jobs offshore by refusing to introduce some form of unilateral carbon pricing signal will be undermined by the very uncertainty created by a policy that energy sector investors believe is neither credible nor sustainable," KPMG says.

The vicious circle involved here is almost unbelievable: government inaction in creating a privatised, competitive and national electricity market threatens supply shortages, blackouts and higher prices. Moreover, jumbled greenhouse policies threaten a capital drought that could derail not only the generation investment needed to fix these problems but also the installation of the clean coal technology and perhaps nuclear plant necessary to combat harmful emissions.

ERIG's solution is to recommend to the Council of Australian Governments a more co-ordinated strategic approach to the energy sector", leading to full privatisation of all state-owned electricity assets and a reinvigorated push towards national markets. Where states do not fully privatise NSW is the worst offender - ERIG wants much stricter competitive neutrality, including the end of market distortions and price regulation.

So what did COAG do when it met on April 13? It picked up on many of ERIG's regulatory concerns, including the creation of a new national energy market operator, but it ignored a major thrust of ERIG's findings to encourage new investment - privatisation or enhanced competitive neutrality - and it argued over a climate-change agenda.

Momentum in energy market reforms has slowed: the nation needs an estimated $35 billion in new generation capacity by 2030 and markets are sending clear signals they are wary of investment, given market distortions between private and state operators, and the "shambles" of greenhouse policies. If anything, the problem will worsen as Prime Minister John Howard's coalition and the Labor states face off on rival emissions trading systems in the lead-up to the federal election.

COAG just doesn't see the links between on the one hand the jumble of state-based and largely state-owned electricity systems, the apprehension in the private sector to the free kicks afforded state ownership and the confused greenhouse signals, and on the other the potential impact on crucial new clean-power projects.

Business Council of Australia president Michael Chaney has tired of the "theatrics" of COAG, a politicians' club he says needs reform. When it comes to energy policy and COAG, Chaney hasn't seen the half of it.

Allan Fels is dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.
Fred Brenchley is a former editor of The Australian Financial Review.

Wind farm proponents to meet with Council this week

Tumut & Adelong Times
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 6

PRIVATE environment consultant Richard Finley Jones has been invited to Tumut Shire Council on Wednesday to discuss an investigation into the feasibility of a wind farm around Adelong.

The first stage of the project would be to secure funds from the state government for a monitoring mast to test wind speeds in the area. The testing phase would run for 12 months and would determine suitability for a possible farm proposal.

Mr Jones said its still a long way off but there is support from the Adelong community and local land holders for the idea. Mr Jones said that unlike other wind farms that I've worked on for private entities, this is a community based project, which means the profits would end up going back into the community. Mr Jones who's background and experience is in renewable energy said this was a gratis project for the Adelong Project Association.

Energy on the wind

Moorabool Leader
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 3

IF you want to know what the proposed wind farms at Elaine and Yendon will look like, keep your eye on Mt Mercer. WestWind Energy's first Australian project was given State Government approval this month, and the company said it would be on a similar scale to sites proposed at Elaine and Yendon.

Planning manager Tobi Geiger said the State Government preferred the two Moorabool sites be treated as one entity and this had been dubbed the "Lal Lal Project". The Fisken Hill section will have up to 50 turbines, while there will be 29 at Elaine.

"The plans could change a lot. We've gone public about this very early so we can let people know what's happening, but it is a catch22 because at the start of these projects, you don't have a lot of detail. "The turbine locations could be moved or removed - depending on studies and what the community wants." Under the current proposal, the maximum blade-tip height will be 150m or less. Turbines will be mounted on 80 to 100m towers.

WestWind began doorknocking homes within 3km of both sites in December and ran the first of several planned information days at Lal Lal hall last week.

The company has measured winds up to 120km/h at Mt Mercer - where 64 turbines will be installed - and Mr Geiger said Australia had windier sites, but an effective project had to be close to major manufacturing centres such as Ballarat. It also had to be close to existing electrical infrastructure and the Lal Lal project was not far from a major terminal at Warrenheip, a large line passing through Fisken Hill to power Lal Lal Reservoir and an easement it could share along the Midland Highway with the Geelong-Ballarat power line.

The two sites are expected to cost $250 million to $300 million. "With 70 to 80 turbines in the Lal Lal project, it could power something two or three times the size of Ballarat," Mr Geiger said.

Where are windfarms going?

Cooma Monaro Express
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 9

AS the windfarm debate continues, there is much confusion over the actual placement of the turbines. Councillor Roger Norton confirmed that his view, is that both the for and against supporters agree that heritage issues are very significant and have to be considered with every, application.

It is not something that everyone may like, but every application will be considered on its practicality and merits," Cr Norton said. He also said it is a possibility that there may be multiple windfarms situated on multiple visible hills.

Beverley Allen from the Friends of Renewable Energy also said the Snowy Mountains could be a new home for windfarms.

"I would certainly prefer to have a windfarm in the Snowy Mountains than a coal plant. The area could work well for wind turbines and it would remain almost undamaged even if the wind turbines were taken down in years to come."

New wind farm in the works

Central Midlands & Coastal Advocate
Thursday 26/4/2007 Page: 9

DANDARAGAN Shire has granted planning approval to Stanwell Corporation to establish two wind monitoring towers north of Bibby Road for a future wind farm. Stanwell Corporation and WR Carpenter Agriculture embarked on a joint venture last year to develop the Emu Downs Wind Farm project.

As part of that project two wind farm monitoring towers were erected on the property and monitoring took place over number of years. Recordings are still being taken. The two towers for this new project will be 70 metres and 50 metres tall at the corner of Yerramullah Road and Cadda Road, and the corner of Yerramullah Road and Cowalla Road.

Climate change a vital issue for 90 per cent

AAP Newswire
Thursday 26/4/2007

CANBERRA, April 26 AAP - CSIRO surveys have found more than 90 per cent of people in two populous states believe climate change is a vital issue facing the nation. The findings in NSW and Queensland contrast with Prime Minister John Howard's declaration this week that global warming is not the overwhelming moral issue facing Australians.

Nearly 90 per cent of respondents in the survey conducted by CSIRO and the Centre for Low Emission Technology identified solar technology as their preferred low-emissions source of energy. Mr Howard has dismissed solar as unable to be a major provider of national power generation. His preferred alternative of nuclear power polarised opinion among the respondents. They supported investment in clean coal technology - a solution backed by the government and Labor - but not at the expense of research into renewable energy.

The surveys were conducted over a two-year period ending in 2006 as part of a project the centre says is one of the most detailed of its kind undertaken in the world. It found 90-93 per cent of respondents rate climate change "as an issue vital to the nation's future". In workshops conducted in towns and cities of the two states, participants "expressed a need to balance economic growth with environmental concerns and overall expressed a desire for power that had low emissions, was affordable but guaranteed security of supply".

The Queensland report found the attitudinal shift would have a "marked influence on the political and business landscape in Australia for some time to come". It also found the public was crying out for more information on what was being done to combat the problem and wanted more leadership on the issue, including financial incentives or penalties to bring rapid change.

Queensland State Development Minister John Mickel said Mr Howard should rethink his position as today's report showed Australians did not just want energy to be clean as well as affordable. "Such a public consensus is rare on any issue," Mr Mickel said. "This finding suggests a major shift in public thinking which is great because we need to get the community, along with governments and industry, involved in creating a cleaner and greener Queensland."

Queensland Conservation Council coordinator Toby Hutcheon said the results were not surprising and the real figure across the community could even be higher than 90 per cent. "In an election year, this is a message for all political parties seeking seats in Queensland ... to put forward solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions now," Mr Hutcheon said.

Helping China the way ahead

Australian Financial Review
Friday 27/4/2007 Page: 74

China has opted to delay indefinitely the release of its climate change action plan, maintaining that economic growth and development are its first priorities in a wake-up call to the world that says developing countries will not simply fall into line with Western governments' plans for a post-Kyoto emissions regime. China is key to any post-Kyoto Protocol agreement, with the country likely to surpass the US in the next two years as the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter. China is a signatory to Kyoto, but is not subject to any reduction targets because it is a developing country. It has also said it wants to be involved in the formulation of any new agreement.

This week's announcement from Beijing is a reality check for future negotiations. On this issue, China and Australia share interests, as they are respectively the world's biggest user and producer of coal, and the world's biggest exporter of coal. The Australian government is attempting to work with China to help it reduce emissions, and improve energy efficiency; China is one of the most inefficient energy users in the world.

China's massive economic growth means it is critical to any future planning; if it refuses to comply with emissions targets, those targets are meaningless. Australia's offer to help with efficiency and clean-coal programs is a good start, but more countries must be involved in the efforts.

Wind Partners plans buying spree

Australian Financial Review
Friday 27/4/2007 Page: 58

Babcock and Brown Wind Partners plans to sell shares to help fund the $1.45 billion purchase of three global wind farms, more than doubling the group's current wind farm holding and potentially raising as much as $150 million. Wind Partners is seeking a European wind farm valued at around $180 million and is also looking to spend around $885 million on half of the group that owns Enersis. Enersis was bought by Babcock and Brown, the wind fund's investment manager, in December 2005.

Wind Partners may also buy B&B's Class B interest in wind-farm projects within the so-called US07 portfolio, consisting of three assets in the US worth $390 million. The company will issue 87.1 million securities to institutional investors through UBS, Deutsche Bank and Tricom Equities.

Wind Partners chief executive Miles George said 'in addition to these acquisitions, we have excellent access to a high-quality pipeline'. B&B has agreed to take 10 per cent of the new stock and the fund will sell shares for between $1.72 and $1.80 each. The fund yesterday increased its forecast for net operating cash flow by at least 2.5 per cent for 2008-09 and reaffirmed distribution guidance for 2007 at 12.5¢ a share and 14¢ a share for 2008.

Windfarm trip

Summit Sun
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 19

A THREE-DAY trip to Ararat, Victoria, is planned to familiarise Cooma and district residents with the effects of windfarms. The trip is planned for late May and will cost local residents wanting to attend, but will hopefully answer any questions they may have.

Beverley Allen from the Friends of Renewable Energy, based in Berridale, is organising the event and encourages locals to come along. "We will be offering residents a trip to the Challicum Hills Wind Farm - which is a very successful windfarm. It is the perfect example of the community and the NSW Government working together well," Mrs Allen said.

Roaring tiger, smoking dragon

Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday 26/4/2007 Page: 10

AUSTRALIA should be rattled by news that China will soon be the world's biggest greenhouse gas polluter. It is playing a big part in helping China achieve this unhappy distinction. China is expected to overtake the United States as early as November, not in 2010 as previously forecast.

At the same time, China is prevaricating about previous pledges to slow carbon emissions; it wants instead to protect its roaring economic growth. Outpolluting the US is bad enough, but if China makes no effort to restrain emissions, it will within a quarter of a century be spewing out twice as much pollution as the world's 26 richest industrial nations combined. Without China, international climate change policy has no chance of success.

Rising smog levels in China have put Australia in an especially uncomfortable position, and not just because regional monsoons caused by Asian haze are affecting our north. Australia's recent prosperity owes much to being a key supplier of the iron ore, nickel, coal and aluminium fuelling China's economic growth and its soaring emissions. Then there is Australia's environmental standing.

The Federal Government's insistence that Australia cannot afford meaningful emission reduction targets - despite a new CSIRO report to the contrary - leaves Australia with no moral leverage. It is true - as the Prime Minister, John Howard, says - that without China and India, no global climate change plan will work. But it is also true that only nations which are cleaning up their act can exert useful moral influence beyond their borders.

Recent contradictory signals from China suggest an unresolved internal debate on how far to go in moderating economic growth to protect the environment. China's key foreign policy objective of peaceful growth and global economic integration means Beijing is no longer impervious to international pressure. Nor is it blind to the local impact of air pollution, which the World Bank blames for 427,000 Chinese deaths a year. Beijing recently introduced a progressive renewable energy policy. But at the same time, China's oil imports are rising by 30 per cent annually, while five new coal-fired power stations come on line each week. The official line this week is economic growth first - but that is not the last word.

China's experts predict climate change will cause severe droughts, the expansion of deserts, dwindling harvests and the spread of disease. Their conclusion: the terrible cost of doing nothing outweighs the short-term benefits of carbon-driven growth. Beijing - and Canberra - take note.

Snowtown boost as wind farm gears up: First stage in $200 million construction program

Plains Producer
Wednesday 18/4/2007 Page: 9

Construction has begun on a $200 million wind farm west of Snowtown. The wind farm, which has been described as a "beachhead project" in Australia by New Zealand-based renewable power generator, and retailer TrustPower, comprises 42 wind turbines on the Hummocks and Barunga Ranges. The wind farm will have a capacity of 88MW, enough to power 60,000 average South Australian homes, and could expand to be three times the size.

The first stage of the wind farm will employ up to 170 people during peak construction times, and will require four full-time employees when completed. It is expected to return more than $1 million a year to the Snowtown community on an ongoing basis. "Stage one will use only about one third of the available wind farm site, leaving the opportunity for further stages in the future," said TrustPower chief executive, Keith Tempest.

A total of 130 turbines has been approved for the site, which will be developed progressively according to market demand. "Snowtown is ideally located on the transmission grid and has a superior wind resource," Mr Tempest said. He expects the wind farm to operate at about 45 per cent capacity, compared with the industry average of 30 per cent. Mr Tempest said long term energy and renewable credit agreements were in place which would secure the wind farm's revenue stream for at least the next 10 years. The company is now looking at further opportunities to invest in wind farms in SA and other parts of Australia.

Under an engineer/procure/construct turnkey agreement with Suzlon Energy Australia, 42 Suzlon S88 2.1 MW wind turbines will be located at the Snowtown site. Suzlon will also provide operations and maintenance services to TrustPower once the wind farm is fully commissioned, which will take place progressively from April to November next year. South Australian electricity transmission company ElectraNet will construct a high voltage substation and a short transmission line to connect the new wind farm with the existing ElectraNet state power grid. Final output is expected to be 350 GWh of electricity each year, saving more than 345,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Geothermal to bring power to people: Hot future for rocks

Sunday Examiner
Sunday 22/4/2007 Page: 11

Tasmania looks to alternatives for its future energy needs.

DIRE warnings of the effects of global warming are focusing attention on renewable forms of energy. In Tasmania hydro-electricity water storages are at historic lows and gas supplies from Victoria have been restricted due to plant maintenance. Hydro Tasmania spent an additional $70 million in the past 12 months on imported power via Basslink and the gas pipeline.

Roaring 40s' Woolnorth wind farm is now complete and capable of producing 140MW, however full production is not expected until transmission line upgrades are completed at the end of the year. However, the State is poised to tap into another form of renewable energy - geothermal or hot rock energy.

In 2005 Hobart-based KUTh Exploration received the State's first special exploration licence to search for suitable sites in the North-East. Its first project is well under way. Unlike hydro-electricity generation, HRE does not create environmental problems with large-scale flooding and disruption to natural river flow systems. Nor does it compete with other users for water or create noise nuisance or visual pollution sometimes claimed of wind generation. It produces zero-emissions and provides base load electricity that does not depend on wind, sun or rain.

HRE research worldwide is being pushed by the ongoing fossil fuel supply squeeze, concern with global warming and political and social change towards sustainable energy practice. Some estimates indicate there is enough geothermal energy present in Australia to provide all of the country's electricity requirements for several thousand years.

Two companies have been at the forefront of Australian research: Queensland-based Geodynamics Ltd and South Australian company Petratherm. Geodynamics is confidant of putting its first power into the grid by 2010.

Climate change fires up Ballarat

Ballarat Courier
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 3

A COMMUNITY action group met at the weekend to think of ways ordinary people can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of climate change. The Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions group met at the Ballarat Mining Exchange on Saturday to brainstorm the best ways ordinary people can make a difference.

Organisers said about 140 people attended the event, and BREAZE committee member Steve Burns said the group was not about playing politics, but adopting a policy of local solutions to climate change. "I have never seen an issue like this (climate change) fire-up the way it has in Ballarat," he said.

"Climate change goes across party lines and I think the feeling in the Ballarat community is a dry Lake Wendouree has been the catalyst for people to become involved in ways to try and reduce the impact we are having on the environment." Mr Burns said the key to the success of the group was providing practical and easy solutions that people could easily adopt to do their part for the environment.

"People want to do practical things and want to know how to snake their house more environmentally friendly, or lead a more sustainable lifestyle," he said. Mr Burns said smaller groups would now be formed after the brainstorm to think of ways the ideas can be implemented in Ballarat.

For more details visit: http://breig.baltree.info/portal/index.php?page=home.

Lake Bolac energy push Group calls for green power

Warrnambool Standard
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 5

DROUGHT-STRICKEN Lake Bolac residents have joined forces to urge the Federal Government - and even Arnold Schwarzenegger -to embrace renewable energy in the fight against global warming. The Lake Bolac Eel Festival Committee yesterday sent a communique to the Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull urging him to consider the long-term benefits of green power. An environmental forum, held as part of the recent festival, heard from a leading New South Wales green energy activist, Howard Morrison, who emphasised the potential for consistent renewable sources such as wave energy.

The communique was also sent to environmentalist and Australian of the Year Tim Flannery, Opposition environment spokesman Peter Garrett as well as international sustainability leaders including, California Governor Mr Schwarzenegger and Canadian environmental scientist David Suzuki. "The drought is severely affecting our community. The lake is drying up and the eels are dead," the communique said.

"This drought, on balance, appears to be related to global warming." David Allen, chairman of the eel festival committee, who runs cattle and sheep on his Woorndoo property, said he has seen the effects of climate change first-hand. "Being a farmer and waiting for rain it's particularly relevant for me and it's hard to believe it's not related to global warming," Mr Allen said. "The main aim of the communique is to get the Government to open its eyes. .. coal is yesterday's energy form - it's ancient.

"We should be smart enough to use cleaner sources of energy." "One of the things (Howard Morrison) is saying is that wave energy is a lot more constant." A wave-powered generator currently operating in Port Campbell created enough energy to power 500 homes, Mr Allen said. Inland areas such as Lake Bolac could one day install local renewable sources to feed directly into its power grid, he said. Only 15 per cent of the power produced at Gippsland's Yallourn coal-fired plant reached consumers in the south-west, with much of it lost on its long journey, Mr Allen said.

ANZ $225m blow

Australian
Tuesday 24/4/2007 Page: 21

ANZ's Energy Infrastructure Trust has snapped up one of Australia's largest wind farms, the Wattle Point Wind Farm, in South Australia for $225 million from takeover target Alinta. Under a proposed scheme of arrangement with Babcock and Brown and Singapore Power, which plan to acquire Alinta for $7.4 billion, B&B Wind Partners will receive $211 million of the sale proceeds.

Clean coal as tricky as nuclear waste, says BHP board member

Mining Chronicle
April, 2007 Page: 38

A key BHP Billiton board member's doubts on the future of clean coal technology was a significant warning to the major parties about the coal industry's future, say the Greens. Both the government and Labor have either committed or promised to commit hundreds of millions of dollars on technologies to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal, one of the chief culprits in causing global warming.

But Paul Anderson, a board member with Australia's biggest company BHP Billiton, and a former head of BHP, told the Sydney Morning Herald that long-term storage of carbon waste - one of the key clean coal technologies - may be as difficult as dealing with nuclear waste. Mr Anderson, mindful of widespread community dislike of nuclear energy due to the problem of storing its waste, asked how people could warm to the idea of storing V02 underground, as has been proposed. "I think it's as big as the issue of nuclear waste. What are you going to do with millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide that is not nearly as compact as nuclear waste?" he told the paper.

Greens senator Christine Milne said Mr Anderson was the first person from the resource sector prepared to admit that clean coal was decades away, if ever attainable. "He also highlights the problems associated with trying to bury carbon dioxide for thousands of years into the future," she said. "What he's saying is that nuclear waste is a problem but so too is carbon dioxide.

"What it demonstrates is that we would be far better to put the money that is going into clean coal research right now into rolling out renewables, which can address greenhouse gases now that the government's enthusiasm for clean is a make work program for the coal industry." Senator Milne said clean coal technology was at least 15-20 years away and if the coal industry wanted to do research on clean coal it was the coal industry's prerogative, but public funding should go to the research on renewable energies. "It's the first shot across the bows of the prime minister and the opposition leader Kevin Rudd on clean coal," Senator Milne said.

Wind and gas offshore energy project given green light

Oil & Gas Australia
March, 2007 Page: 58

A UNIQUE dual energy scheme to be sited off the Cumbrian coast was given the go-ahead recently by the UK Energy Minister, Lord Truscott. The Ormonde project from Eclipse Energy will be sited 10 km from Walney Island near Barrow in Furness. This innovative hybrid development has the potential to generate up to 200 MW of electricity with almost half coming from the wind farm comprising up to 30 turbines. This is enough clean energy for around 70,000 homes.

When the wind isn't sufficient, power will still come via conventional gas sources pumped from two fields in nearby Morecambe Bay for which UK DTI approval has also been sought. "The Ormonde scheme is unusual in that it will combine wind and gas power to produce continuous electricity for the region. It is an exciting and innovative technological first that will make a contribution to our renewable energy aims," said Lord Truscott.

Two sides to the wind farm debate

Oberon Review
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 3

While there has been plenty of opposition to the proposed wind turbines slated to be erected around the village of Black Springs, those who are in favour of the alternative energy source have jumped to the defence of the idea. The main source of concern for those against the development has been decreasing land values, noise, aesthetic drawbacks, as well as the likelihood of the power created being diverted to the Melbourne electricity grid.

Jonathan Slottje however sees the proposal as a positive for the area and disagrees with the anti-wind farm standpoint. "I think it (the wind farm) is a good thing because renewable energy is something that we desperately need," said Mr Slottje, a Black Springs-based businessman. "It is also a good passive income for farmers to be earning during what has been a terrible drought," he said.

"Renewable energy is a massive industry in the United States, especially in California, sadly we have people moving over there and taking renewable energy technology with them because they are not able to use it a lot of the time in Australia," he added in reference to solar power, which is struggling in Australia due to lack of sponsorship and funding.

Mr Slottje and his family have been in Black Springs for several years operating a manufacturing business, and despite all the talk during that time regarding the drawbacks of the wind turbines, he says he has not seen any evidence of land devaluation in that time despite the pending establishment of the structures.

"As far as property values go, I know one farmer who is selling his property - not because of the wind farm - and he has managed to have his property listed for a substantial amount with no effects at all from the turbines," he said. "I don't think aesthetically they look ugly. I'm also in favour of something that may create a number of jobs in Black Springs," he said.

Mr Slottje added that although Blayney has been cited by several people as one community that has been adversely affected by the turbines, during a recent visit to the town he observed that they had used their wind farm as a positive aspect and incorporated it into their town identity and tourism campaigns. - "In terms of noise also, we have trail bikes in the village all the time and they make a ridiculous amount of noise. The turbines will be out of the village so I can't see how it would be any worse than the bikes," he said.

Mark and Michelle Culley, who also live in the village, have both come out in favour of the wind farm due to the alternatives it offers to the usual sources of power. "I'm definitely in favour of renewable energy. We just can't keep tearing coal out of the ground, it's as simple as that," Mark Culley said. "I don't personally think they are the best looking things, but alternative sources of energy are very important," he said.

Michelle Culley was similarly positive about the proposal. "One of the positives will be that even though it is just our little eight or nine turbines here, if people stop arguing and other places got involved with renewable energy, it would ease the burden on water and coal usage," she said. "I'd rather not see a nuclear power plant in the area, and I would be interested to see what the opponents of the wind farm would say if they were told a nuclear plant was to be built," she said.

"As far as noise goes, trucks rumble past at 4 in the morning, and our bedroom rattles, and that happens a hundred times a day, so I can't see how the turbines would be worse." Mrs Culley added that she is concerned about the possible repercussions for some of the landholders who will be having the structures built on their property if the proposal is to be approved.

"People also have to remember that it is still just a proposal - nothing has been decided yet, and it is still being looked at to see if it is viable," Michelle said. "The bottom line for me is, I really have no problem with the idea. There will probably be a little bit of noise, but we have to make these sacrifices for the things we want, and I don't think a little bit of noise should matter." The debate about the development looks set to continue for some time to come.

Warming a big concern in marginals

Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 21/4/2007 Page: 6

A MAJORITY of voters in key marginal seats believe that Australia should greatly boost its efforts to combat global warming even if it affects business profits and puts up the price of their own electricity bills, the chief coal mining union has found. The majority of those polled by the union on attitudes to climate change also believed the Federal Government "has done nothing about climate change".

And about 62 per cent said they agreed or strongly agreed that "the Liberal Government is too close to big business and won't take any serious steps to stop businesses polluting". The poll of 800 voters in marginal seats around the country was conducted last month for the national mining and energy branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, headed by its president, Tony Maher.

The research will help the leftwing union and the Labor Party steer a rocky course between supporting coal miners' jobs and policies to combat climate change in the election campaign due later this year. The polling shows climate change may already be a vote changing issue in the marginal seats, hurting the Government. Ninety-five per cent of the marginal voters polled wanted more government investment in renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy.

Renewable energy will create jobs and keep power bills low: report

West Australian
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 4

Introducing a 25 per cent renewable energy target by 2020 would create 16,000 jobs and generate $33 billion in new investment, a report from three conservation groups has found. The report, to be released today, found that household electricity bills would rise just $1.25 a week and annual greenhouse emissions would be reduced by 69 million tonnes a year if a quarter of Australia's energy came from renewable sources.

The study, A Bright Future: 25 per cent Renewable Energy for Australia by 2020, also advocated a carbon pricing system and said fossil fuelled power stations needed to be made more efficient. It warned that Australia was missing out on the economic benefits of renewable energy and lagging behind European nations which had boosted their targets.

"Generating a quarter of our electricity from renewable energy and reversing electricity growth from 2010 onwards by ambitious energy efficiency measures would reduce overall electricity emissions to 160 million tonnes," it said. "The reduction of about 100 million tonnes, compared with business as usual, would be equivalent to removing all the road transport in Australia." About 8 per cent of Australia's energy comes from renewables such as wind, solar and hydro.

The report, from Greenpeace, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Climate Action Network, said a 25 per cent target would increase the number of energy jobs to 33,000 and add $64 a year to an average household's electricity bill. "In contrast, current projections for businesses usual electricity use could see average household electricity bills increase by $234 per year," the report said.

Greenpeace energy campaigner Mark Wakeham said Australia should be a world leader in renewable sources. "With our current policies, Australia's amount of renewable energy will only total 10 per cent by 2020.

Meanwhile, other countries and regions are leaving us behind with their smart targets, for example the EU is boosting its renewable energy to 21 per cent by 2010 and California has a target of 33 per cent by 2020." WA has a non-legislated 6 per cent renewable energy by 2010 target for the South-West grid.

The report comes amid growing pressure for targets to be introduced. In February, a report by the Government's Greenhouse and Energy Taskforce said WA should aim to derive 20 per cent of all electricity used in Perth and the South-West from renewable sources by 2020.

Wind farm hopes reborn

Launceston Examiner
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 10

DORSET Mayor Peter Partridge has welcomed news of a potential revival of the stalled $230 million Musselroe Bay wind farm on the North-East coast. Renewable energy company Roaring 40s made the optimistic prediction earlier this month after a move by the Victorian Government to introduce its own Victorian Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets scheme. The NSW Government has also indicated it could introduce such a scheme. The MRET proposal allows viable electricity retailers in NSW to offset their renewable energy liability against projects outside NSW.

Cr Partridge said he was excited to see the project gaining momentum after Roaring 40s shelved it last year when the Federal Government refused to increase its MRETs. "We've done a fair bit of work on the Musselroe project and we think it's a very worthwhile project," Cr Partridge said. "It's a renewable energy. The wind is wonderful - you use it and it goes past and you can use it again if you want to. "To see it come to fruition, that would be wonderful.

"It would create employment and it's a non-polluting industry; that's the sort of industry that we'd like to see (in the Dorset municipality)." He said his council had been doing all it could behind the scenes to breathe life back into the project, such as lobbying federal politicians. He said he didn't have figures on how many people would be employed at the wind farm once it was operating, but said there would be employment opportunities during the initial construction phase.

Wind farm threat to rare orchid

Geraldton Guardian
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 9

A RARE orchid found only in the Mid West is holding up the development of the Kalbarri wind farm. The Northern Dwarfed Spider Orchid is scattered around the Mid West from Northampton to north of Murchison and is so rare it's listed as a threatened species. The orchid is also located on the site where Verve Energy is planning to place its `mini' wind farm, to alleviate some of Kalbarri's power problems.

Verve is planning to install two 1.6 megawatt wind turbines to provide Kalbarri with additional power capabilities. Peter Winner from Verve Energy said the orchid grows 200 metres from the site where the turbines are planned to be built. "There are reported sightings 200 metres from the turbines, but they haven't been seen there for 30 years," he said.

Kelly Gillian from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) said the orchids were scattered around the region and hard to locate. "They (the orchids) are hard to locate and are only found in a few places, most of them have been cleared out," Mr Gillian said. "We need to protect their habitat." Mr Winner said Verve Energy was working with DEC to ensure the development could go ahead as well as protecting the native species.

Mr Gillian said that Verve would now have to seek approval from the Minister's office to go ahead with the development. "Due to the flower's status as a threatened species the company will have to get approval from the Minister, which they are seeking now," he said.

"They have to get permission to clear the land where the orchids grow and permission will be granted if it is deemed that clearing that land will not have a detrimental effect on the species' chance of survival." The wind farm was originally scheduled to be completed by March of this year, however Mr Winner said due to setbacks the building was yet to start. Mr Winner said the latest setback had not lost the project any money, just time, and he expected the farm to be completed in `a couple of months'.

Going green for as little as $1.23 a week

Burnie Advocate
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 12

CANBERRA - Household electricity bills would rise by just $1.23 a week if a quarter of Australia's energy came from renewable sources, a report has found. The report by three green groups says setting a renewable energy target of 25 per cent by the year 2020 would deliver more than 16,000 new jobs, slash greenhouse gas emissions by 69 million tonnes and generate $33 billion in investment.

Although the average power bill would rise by $64 a year, continuing to rely on current power sources would cause prices to jump by $234 a year. The study, A Bright Future, was released yesterday by the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace and the Climate Action Network. It warns Australia is missing out on the economic benefits of renewable energy that are flowing to California and European nations which have boosted their renewable energy targets.

China cool on nuclear power

Australian Financial Review
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 13

China's top planning agency says a shortage of uranium will ensure nuclear plants remain a 'supplementary' source of power, and that coal and oil will continue to be relied upon for energy. China National Nuclear, the nation's biggest nuclear company, plans to spend 400 billion yuan ($62 billion) to build reactors by 2020. China must add two reactors a year to meet a target of generating 4 per cent of its power from nuclear plants by that time, from about 2.3 per cent now. Meanwhile, China National Offshore Oil, the nation's third-biggest oil company, said it would develop renewable energy resources, including wind energy, to ensure energy security.

Renewable power likely to cut bills

Adelaide Advertiser
Monday 23/4/2007 Page: 6

A NEW report has called for the introduction of a 25 per cent renewable energy target for Australia by the year 2020. It says that will create almost 17,000 jobs and keep energy bills lower. The report, to be released today by the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace and the Climate Action Network, says the 2020 target will help Australia to fight climate change.

The report says more than 17,000 Australians already are employed in the renewable energy or energy efficiency sectors. "A 25 per cent target would increase the number of clean energy jobs to over 33,000," the report says. The 2020 target also will see Australia's energy prices remain among the cheapest in the world, the report says. "A 25 per cent target, coupled with medium energy efficiency measures, would add about $64 to the average household annual electricity bill," it says.

"In contrast, current projections for business-as-usual electricity use could see average household electricity bills increase by $234 per year." Foundation executive director Don Henry said it would "cost Australia dearly" to allow electricity use to continue to climb.

"If we don't take action, the average household electricity bill could increase by hundreds of dollars," he said. Labor frontbencher and leading Left figure Anthony Albanese has said he will be seeking an amendment to the party's no new mines policy at the ALP national conference this weekend in Sydney. The party will vote to decide if it will scrap the policy.

Mr Albanese told the Nine Network yesterday he would be calling for two conditions to be met before any changes were made. "Until such time as we do have a nuclear nonproliferation regime which is effective and a resolution to the issue of nuclear waste, I don't believe that we should be expanding new uranium mines," Mr Albanese said.

The sun rises on alternative energy

Mining Chronicle
April, 2007 Page: 82

Australian industry is under pressure to embrace cleaner, more efficient methods of energy use. For businesses relying on wasteful, archaic technology to supply power, this may cause difficulties when the time for change approaches.

According to Jeremy Rich, the managing director of Energy Matters, the sun is beginning to shine on a new breed of energy alternatives. "By replacing coal or diesel powered machinery with renewable energy powered sources, companies can improve their image whilst saving money," he said.

"In Western Australia alone, over half the state's energy usage comes from pumping water. Right now, the majority of that water is pumped using traditional diesel or electric systems." Renewable energy pumps - such as solar pumps - can offer a user-friendly and cost-effective alternative to diesel powered pumps.

When once solar power was an extreme fringe technology, considered impractical for common use, it has now advanced to the point where it provides a realistic alternative to fuel powered systems that require constant maintenance and refueling - which put a drain on resources.

Solar systems are totally reliable. If designed and installed correctly, they require a minimum of upkeep and can utilise existing generators as backup. In WA, eligible companies making an investment in renewable power can obtain a 40 per cent tax credit rebate for off-grid systems.

The Federal Government will review its $11.4m subsidy scheme during the next budget cycle, but with the nation focused on the dangers of climate change, and with expectations of a new carbon trading and tax program when the Government releases its discussion paper in May, establishing a clean energy policy makes good business sense for companies seeking to enhance their image and save money.

To learn more about how clean energy can improve your business, contact Energy Matters, Australia's premier dealer of renewable energy products. Or visit www.energymatters.com.au

Kyoto Energy Park named to be provocative

Hunter Valley News
Wednesday 11/4/2007 Page: 5

A NEW meeting format for Scone Chamber of Commerce & Industry saw 50 people attend a business dinner last Wednesday. night to listen to guest speaker, project director of Kyoto Energy Park, Mark Sydney.

Members and friends of Scone's Chamber put their support behind the first in a series of business dinners at a packed Airlie House dining room. Chamber president, Michael Johnsen said the role of the chamber was to lobby and to facilitate. "Tonight is an example of the chamber's facilitation role," he said. The evening was promoted as an opportunity for members to hear first hand about a very new concept for the Scone district.

The proposed Energy Park, would have up to 37 wind turbines operating at Middlebrook and Mountain stations, located approximately 10km from Scone's Central Business District (CBD) In addition to turbines, there is potential in the future, for a closed loop hydro and solar thermal array, visitors centre and managers' residence.

NSW has no such Energy Park but plenty of wind farms at present. Provided it gains approval from the NSW Department of Planning by the end of the year the turbines could be ordered and erected at Scone in three years time.

Mr Sydney estimated that one wind turbine would cost between six and $10 million but that money would be paid off in three months through profits from the energy it created. Mr Sydney's company would rent the land the turbines are placed on. Referring to a wider vision, Mr Sydney said it was- a paradigm to see agriculture and farming continue alongside the Energy Park. "What we're trying to do is to keep agriculture and add a new element to that land," he said.

He highlighted the benefits of aligning the region with renewable energy and adding diversity to the Hunter Valley's other energy industries, as well as the possibility of the Energy Park becoming a tourist attraction. Mr Sydney said he liked to think his development company Pamada, which also manufactures products for the renewable energy industry, was transparent in their dealings with the community and invited them to ask questions at any time.

While the audience waited to ask their questions at the end of the evening instead of interrupting the speaker, they did not hold back. Community members wanted to know how much noise turbines would create, who the investors behind Pamada were, was the concept open for public ownership, what colour the turbines would be and how their views would be affected. After his straightforward speech that addressed what the project was and when it could occur, Mr Sydney, tackled the more pressing issues on the minds of Scone residents.

On noise, Mr Sydney said the recommended distance from a wind turbine should be located from a residence was one kilometre. He went on to say the closest residence was one and a half kilometres from the proposed Energy Park and the second closest two kilometres. While, Mr Sydney would not answer who was investing in Pamada, he revealed he was a major investor and explained it was Australian owned.

He explained that the working title, 'The Kyoto Energy Park' was named three years ago and highlighted the possibility of a name competition if the park is approved. "`Kyoto' was used in the title with the deliberate intention to be provocative," he said.

On the topic of public ownership, he outlined it was not an option in the case of the Kyoto Energy Park. Mr Sydney said in his opinion white coloured wind turbines on an agricultural backdrop were 'majestic' constructions and encouraged others to view them the same.

Mr Sydney said CSIRO wind monitoring data from the past eight and a half years showed Scone to be a very good site for wind. "Its not great- Tasmania is great. But in the Hunter Valley you've got really big demand and Tassie doesn't." The application for the Energy Park was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning last November.

Pamada plan to facilitate meetings of community leaders straight away should Kyoto Energy Park gain approval, in order to finalise a copy of the park's Foundation Charter, which is currently in draft format.

First sod turned for $200 million Barunga Wind Farm

Yorke Peninsula Country Times - Kadina
Tuesday 17/4/2007 Page: 3

Four years after the process began, the first sod has turned for TrustPower's $200 million, 42 turbine wind farm on the Barunga Ranges - perhaps the last such construction in Australia for some time.

Located west of Snowtown, the development is Stage One of what eventually could be a 130 turbine wind farm for the New Zealand based company that now owns (original proponent) Wind Prospect's interest. The two companies had combined forces to go through the planning and approval process. Since planning started, however, wind farm investment has been stymied by the Federal Government's failure to raise the MRET (Mandatory Renewable Energy Target) and complicated by new technical requirements for ESCOSA ' (Essential Services Commission of SA).

Chief Executive of TrustPower, Keith Tempest, says "it has been frustrating at times" during those four years. "I suspect this could be the last wind farm constructed under the MRET in Australia," he said. "There are some state-based schemes coming on board, but there is nothing as at today to make us build again - it is just not financially viable. If the Federal Government came up with a new renewable scheme it would inject confidence to invest in the industry. "However, we have a long term view and commitment. It has always been about community and environment.

We estimate the project could bring $1 million into the community and create 170 jobs during peak construction times, with four full-time employees at completion." The turbines, to be built by Suzlon Energy Australia - a new entity in Australia - at Hallett (just north of Burra), will be able to generate 2.1 MW each, providing a capacity of 88 megawatts or enough to power 60,000 homes. Stage One should be fully commissioned by around this time next year.

If the entire project goes ahead, landowner, Sally Michael, will have 12 turbines on her property at the southernmost point of the wind farm. "We are thrilled. It's income that doesn't rely on rain and there's always plenty of wind. It might allow our son to be a farmer if he wants - it takes the pressure off," she said.

Energy reform report not credible

Australian Financial Review
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 59

The Energy Reform Implementation Group's recommendation that state governments privatise energy assets lacks credibility if it ignores encouragement of green energy use, including wind and tidal turbines, hot fractured rock and solar power, as well as nuclear. If governments are sending mixed signals under existing technology, ERIG is premature in deciding either way on the issue of public or private ownership.

Salting it away for non-rainy day

Australian
Thursday 19/4/2007 Page: 2

AUSTRALIA'S driest capital yesterday officially opened the nation's first desalination plant, as the West Australian Government committed hundreds of millions of dollars to building at least one more in the near future. Premier Alan Carpenter said the "rainfall-independent" water supply would provide 17 per cent of Perth's needs, 144 million litres of drinking water each day.

Although the other states were bickering over options to address their growing water crises, Mr Carpenter said he was certain Western Australia would build more desalination plants in the near future. "There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that we will have another desalination plant, at least of this scale, on the coast north or south of Perth in the not too distant future, and in the longer term we will have several," Mr Carpenter said at the opening of the $387 million Kwinana plant, 40km south of Perth.

The Government was also in the process of assessing the environmental impact of tapping the South-West Yarragadee aquifer. Water Corporation chief executive Jim Gill has warned the Government needed to make a decision on Yarragadee by the end of next month to ensure severe shortages were not experienced in 2009.

Questioned on the cost of water from the desalination plant, Mr Carpenter said West Australians had to get used to the fact the days of cheap water were over. "The days when we were getting water for virtually nothing from dams overflowing from rainfall and run-off would appear to be over," he said. "Every other option is considerably more expensive. Water prices are going to continue to rise." He said water from dams cost about 16c per kilolitre compared with about $1.15 per kilolitre for desalinated water.

The Kwinana desalination plant is the third biggest in the world behind two massive plants in Israel and the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest desalination plant in the world to be powered by renewable energy the plant buys its power from the Emu Downs Wind Farm 245km north of Perth.

Federal Water Resources Minister Malcolm Turnbull was also spruiking water plans in Perth yesterday. Mr Turnbull announced $6.19 million in funding for a water-sensitive urbandevelopment project slated to save two billion litres of water a year. The development will include 15,000 new housing lots southeast of Perth and will use stormwater capture and groundwater for non-drinking purposes such as gardens, toilets and washing machines.

Comparing the project to Perth's new desalination plant, Mr Turnbull said it was low energy, low-cost and sustainable.