Thursday 27 September 2007

The energy answer is blowin' in the wind

Australian Financial Review
Wednesday 19/9/2007 Page: 12

According to the Belgium-based Global Wind Energy Council, worldwide wind energy generation increased 25 percent last year but in Australia it only rose 15 percent. However, new incentives from federal and state governments look set to increase wind energy by 19 percent per year from now until 2010. The Australian Wind Energy Association (Auswind) says the sector has exciting growth opportunities, with South Australia leading the way.

Babcock and Brown Wind Partners is investing in Stage Two of the Lake Bonney Wind Farm which will make it the biggest facility of its kind in Australia. Towers will be up to 80 metres high, nearly as tall as the Adelaide Hyatt Regency Hotel. About half of SA's councils are using renewable energy for 20 percent of total usage. Even Marion Council has made the 20 percent commitment even though its area includes a Mitsubishi car plant and the largest Westfield shopping centre in SA. One of the great benefits of wind energy for a dry continent like Australia is that it is one of the few forms of electricity generation which requires no water.

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