. Wind Energy News .




.
WIND DAILY
SA Opposition wind policy threatens $3 billion investment
by Staff Writers
Adelaide, Australia (SPX) Jan 12, 2012

Australian wind farms were already subject to the toughest planning guidelines in the world in relation to their siting, operation and permissible noise levels.

The South Australian Opposition's policy on wind farms would threaten more than $3 billion of investment and push up power prices for South Australian householders if implemented in its current form, the renewable energy industry's peak body said this past week.

It would also place in doubt the creation of nearly 1,000 direct jobs, Clean Energy Council Acting CEO, Kane Thornton, said.

"It is unfortunate the wind industry was not consulted on this policy," Mr Thornton said.

"But we now look forward to working with the South Australian Liberal Party to ensure they understand the value of the wind industry to the state, and to provide them with a more complete understanding of wind farms and associated issues."

Mr Thornton said South Australia was currently leading the nation in using wind power to generate electricity.

"South Australia now gets over 20 per cent of its electricity from wind power; one of the reasons the state's carbon emissions fell by 18 per cent over the past five years."

Mr Thornton said Australian wind farms were already subject to the toughest planning guidelines in the world in relation to their siting, operation and permissible noise levels. Wind energy also currently enjoyed strong support from over 80 per cent of Australians.

"While the Australian wind industry is keen to work with the community to address any legitimate concerns that may arise with regard to specific projects, the proposed blanket two-kilometre no-go zones for wind farms are likely to drive future wind investment to other states," Mr Thornton said.

"Guidelines currently in place ensure the proper balance between wind farm developments and community is reached throughout South Australia."

South Australian wind farms currently generate enough energy to power 482,836 homes annually. Capital investment of $2.792 billion has so far been made in South Australian wind farms, creating 806 direct jobs and 2417 indirect jobs.

"Projects worth a further $3.078 billion are currently proposed for South Australia that would power more than 567,000 homes and create 948 direct jobs," Mr Thornton said.

"But measures like two-kilometre setbacks would place all this under threat.

"The proposed two-kilometre setbacks have no precedent in other infrastructure developments - be it roads, power lines or factories - and are likely to create insurmountable challenges for wind projects.

"As we've seen in Victoria, such measures would effectively make South Australia a 'no-go' zone for wind farms, driving billions of dollars of investment from the state.

"In addition, South Australians would see higher electricity prices as future renewable energy will need to come from higher cost sources.

"Unnecessary restrictions on where renewable energy projects can be built will only serve to drive up the cost of electricity to South Australian consumers.

"South Australia has created an investment-friendly environment through an efficient and transparent planning regime, and we're really keen to work with future governments to see that retained."

Related Links
-
Wind Energy News at Wind Daily




.
.
Get Our Free Newsletters Via Email
...
Buy Advertising Editorial Enquiries




.

. Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle



WIND DAILY
Firms make 10 bids for huge French wind farm project: source
Paris (AFP) Jan 11, 2012
French and Spanish companies have put in 10 bids to build hundreds of wind turbines off France's Atlantic coast and in the English Channel, a source close to the project said on Wednesday. The bids come from consortiums put together by French energy giants EDF and GDF and Spanish utility Iberdrola, the source told AFP. "Four consortiums are in competition for the five sites to be attribu ... read more


WIND DAILY
Rio Tinto completes takeover of uranium miner Hathor

Quake hits eastern Japan; nuclear plant stable

Australia ranked first, N.Korea last on nuclear safety

New material for thermonuclear fusion reactors

WIND DAILY
Trina Solar Announces Complete Large Rooftop Solar Solution

OCI Solar Power and CPS Energy negotiate largest solar development in US

Philippines pushes renewable energy

New solar farm being developed in Arizona

WIND DAILY
Algae for your fuel tank

Fast Track Alternative Fuel Project

Lufthansa wraps up biofuel test on German flights

Implanted biofuel cell converts bug's chemistry into electricity

WIND DAILY
Mortenson Starts Construction of Rim Rock Wind Project

SA Opposition wind policy threatens $3 billion investment

Natural Power launches WindManager in the US

New Research Helps Predict Bat Presence at Wind Energy Facilities

WIND DAILY
S. America energy demand drives investment

New FERC Ruling Provides Relief To Besieged Power Grids

China looks at carbon tax, official says in US

China plans tax on carbon emissions

WIND DAILY
Keeping electronics cool

Future development of smaller and more powerful electronics requires the understanding of 'quantum jamming' physics

Israel tightens Med defense links over gas

Enhanced LED Task Light Improves Visual Performance and Reduces Energy Costs

WIND DAILY
Keeping electronics cool

Future development of smaller and more powerful electronics requires the understanding of 'quantum jamming' physics

Israel tightens Med defense links over gas

Enhanced LED Task Light Improves Visual Performance and Reduces Energy Costs

WIND DAILY
Carmakers lure youth with gadgets, sleek design

Motorized shoes ready to roll into stores

China auto sales growth hits the brakes in 2011

Karma hybrid car offers earth-friendly luxury


.

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2012 - Space Media Network. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement