As Rudd retreats from the greatest moral challenge of our time one local community takes action.
Hydro Tasmania may find difficulty in financing the mega wind projects without an underpinning price on carbon such as the Australaian Greens suggested Carbon levy. (Rudd’s guts, HERE)
The new State government has an opportunity hear to put real stars on its energy programs by mobilizing local communities and local government to fund boutique wind farms either as stand alone or as the first parts of larger projects.
Facilitating their location in the sea through enabling legislation would be a first step in resolving the problems assosicated with location near population centres.
It may take a little time for the Green labor coalition to agree but stimulating local community action for communities to provide their own power should become a major project of the McKim Ministry.
ADAM MORTON
The Age
April 29, 2010
AS big energy companies bemoan a lack of certainty to invest in new power plants, a central Victorian town last night celebrated a deal that will build Australia’s first community-owned wind farm.
After five years of planning, contracts were signed yesterday to build the two-turbine Hepburn Community Wind Park at Leonards Hill, about 10 kilometres from Daylesford.
According to the co-operative behind the project, it will generate 12,200 megawatt hours a year – significantly more than is needed to power the town’s 1887 homes.
Hepburn Wind chairman Simon Holmes a Court said more than 1100 members had invested $7.5 million.
Together with a $975,000 state government grant and the backing of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, it was enough to sign a contract with German manufacturer REpower systems to build the $12.9 million farm.
Mr Holmes a Court said the project was based on the Denmark model of small communities owning boutique wind farms. ”Most Australians want to see a meaningful response to the threat of climate change, but many aren’t sure what constructive role they can play,” he said.
”By pooling resources, [we] have developed a model for the low-carbon future that is both low cost – at least four times cheaper than rooftop solar photovoltaics – and brings a significant new business to town.”
Construction is due to start in October, and the wind farm is expected to start producing power before mid-2011. A final 1.8 million share offer was announced at the Daylesford Town Hall meeting last night.
