[Greens-Media] Renewable Energy Opportunities Blowing in the Wind

[Dominika Rajewski]

Media Release						17 August 2005

	Renewable Energy Opportunities Blowing in the Wind

Increasing demands for electricity in NSW could be met with wind power, despite the Government's insistence on continuing its addiction to polluting coal, said Greens MLC Ian Cohen today. 

A report released today at an international wind conference in Sydney reveals the energy produced from 4,000 wind turbines would be sufficient to power all households in NSW and South Australia. It said that level of production could be achieved by 2010.

"NSW could miss the boat on investment and export opportunities that are available in renewable energy. The government is being negligent in not supporting this industry, which is one of the fastest growing in the world. The report released today dispels the myth that only coal can provide enough electricity to power the state. We risk missing out on both environmental and economic gains" said Mr Cohen. 

"In the absence of strong national renewable energy targets, NSW should set its own targets" Mr Cohen recommended. "According to scientists, we need to reduce greenhouse gases by 60 per cent by 2050 if the worst effects of climate change are to be avoided. The Government should set a target of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020. This is not far-fetched. Spain has a target of 29.4 per cent by 2010 and Austria's target is a whopping 78 per cent by 2010. These figures show just how far NSW is lagging behind world's best practice."

"A coal-fired power station with a 1000mW capacity costs about $1.5 billion and emits about 7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. This is not the way to go. NSW has the capacity to utilise proven forms of renewable energy. What it lacks is government action and support for renewable energy to be able to compete in the market."

While acknowledging that wind farms can cause problems if situated in inappropriate locations, Mr Cohen said that many of these problems can be avoided by engaging in adequate consultation with communities where turbines would be located. 

Mr Cohen warned against myths that are propagated about wind power. "Assertions that wind power is unreliable and leads to widespread bird-kill are simply not true. Studies in the US and Britain have shown that the average bird toll is 1-2 per turbine per year. Appropriately situated wind turbines cause far fewer bird deaths than cars, aeroplanes and buildings with wide expanses of glass."

Further Information: Ian Cohen, 9230 2603 or 0409 989 466


Dominika Rajewski
Policy & Legislation Adviser
Ian Cohen, MLC
NSW Parliament
e. dominika.rajewski at parliament.nsw.gov.au
ph. (02) 9230 2204
fax (02) 9230 2267