Australian Renewable Energy Projects Racing Ahead

Australian Renewable Energy Projects Racing Ahead - why not in NZ?

Renewable energy projects are in full flight in Australia. The proof is clear for all - the Australian 2% new renewable energy target has resulted in a huge boost for renewable energy projects.

This solution was investigated and recommended to Government by NZWEA in 2001. The cost was very small and the benefit was huge. We can still do it! See the summary report at: http://www.windenergy.org.nz/articles/200011-quota.html

Why are we waiting? What is the problem in NZ? All we need is the political will to make it happen!

Action now will not get us out of the current electricity crisis. BUT if we were to start now it may be enough to stop the crisis next year.

Ian Shearer

Australia Funds Several RE Projects

Sydney, Australia - April 18, 2003 [SolarAccess.com] Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage, David Kemp, and Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane said recently that the government is continuing its commitment to a strong Renewable Energy industry in Australia with a further allocation of over US$11 million in funding for 4 new Renewable Energy projects.

Read the Full Story on SolarAccess.com http://www.solaraccess.com/news/story?storyid=4114

----- Full Story Below --------------------------------------------------

Sydney, Australia - April 18, 2003 [SolarAccess.com] Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage, David Kemp, and Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane said recently that the government is continuing its commitment to a strong Renewable Energy industry in Australia with a further allocation of over US$11 million in funding for 4 new Renewable Energy projects.

The new funding comprises: - A grant of AUD$1.9 million (US$1.2 million) for the King Island Wind Farm Expansion Project, for two new wind turbines to meet 30 percent of the Island's power needs.

- A grant of AUD$3.4 million (US$2.1 million) to the NT Government for the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems in three remote Northern Territory communities. The project will generate around 1,560 MWh of Renewable Energy and reduce diesel consumption in the communities by over 400,000 liters per year.

- A grant of AUD$5.5 million (US$3.4 million) to assist the establishment of a Renewable Energy center at Murdoch University in Perth. A key element of this project will be a laboratory that will assist the development of standards and accreditation for Renewable Energy systems and provide a world class testing facility.

- A AUD$250,000 (US$153,000) grant to the Business Council for Sustainable Energy to further the implementation of the Renewable Energy Action Agenda.

"The delivery of competitively priced and secure energy sources is a Howard Government priority. Commercialization of new and innovative technologies, such as sustainable energy, is a major challenge for both industry and government," Macfarlane said.

The Howard Government has also released a new booklet Renewable Energy Commercialization in Australia that showcases Australia's world-class Renewable Energy capabilities.

"Australia is a world leader in the field of Renewable Energy and this booklet features 53 innovative projects from around Australia that demonstrate home-grown Australian Renewable Energy technologies," Kemp said.

"Australia is leading the way by undertaking a practical approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the Howard Government investing almost AUD$1 billion (US$1.08 billion) in greenhouse gas abatement programs.

"These national programs will deliver about 60 million tons annually in emissions reductions by the end of this decade. They will build on the government's support for innovation in areas such as Renewable Energy and alternative fuels."

Australia is well positioned to meet the target agreed to at Kyoto of limiting greenhouse emissions to 108 percent of 1990 levels over the period 2008.

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