Western Australian Energy Minister Peter Collier announced in a speech to an energy conference a raft of new measures including two significant renewable projects that confirms the Barnett Government's commitment to growing Western Australia's economy with the help of sustainable energy.

Western Australian Energy Minister Peter Collier announced in a speech to an energy conference today a raft of new measures including two significant renewable projects for the State that confirms the Barnett Government's commitment to growing Western Australia's economy with the help of sustainable energy, measures that have been welcomed by the WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA).

In his speech, Minister Collier reiterated that in his view the Year 2010 was "the Year of Renewables".

The Minister said "The community as a whole has embraced renewable energy, the community as a whole has embraced sustainable energy" and that he recognised that "there is a desire by the community … to make the most of the wonderful renewable energy resources that we have."

The two projects announced today, the expansion of the Albany wind farm in Western Australia's south by 13.8 MW to a total size of 35.4 MW, and the construction of a new $58 Million, 10 MW solar farm in Western Australia's mid-west, represent a further significant step in the development of renewable energy projects in Western Australia.

In particular reference to the solar project, the Minister said "The mid-west has excellent solar resources and deliver WA the largest solar PV project in Australia."

Minister Collier today also confirmed work on consideration of a commercial feed in tariff is progressing for a decision later this year.

In addition, the Minister also highlighted that the Low Emission Energy Development (LEED) fund round three will be announced within the next week.

The Minister's speech today also flagged of an impending statement to be made on the release of a new public campaign to target energy efficiency.

‘The Minister has highlighted the desire of the community to build renewable energy in to Western Australia's future, and business welcomes the Barnett Government's commitment to continue to expand the share of renewable energy in the State,' says WA SEA Chief Executive, Prof Ray Wills.

In announcing new measures on energy efficiency, the Minister said poor energy efficiency represents a loss to the economy, and is an area where substantial gains can be made. He said that the coordination of government agencies and corporations would yield "a campaign that will match the success of the water wise campaign".

‘Energy efficiency is a key to a transition to more sustainable energy use and a more sustainable economy, and the Minister's comment' says Prof Wills.

WA SEA welcomes the Minister's statement energy planning process that the Barnett Government will deliver "a coordinated approach to renewable energy and energy efficiency".

‘WA SEA is looking forward to the release of a Strategic Energy Initiative discussion document, a plan that has the potential to position the State to harvest its massive renewable energy resources and build a more sustainable Western Australian economy,' says Prof Wills.


Project details.

The Mid West Solar farm project will be built by BP Solar has been chosen by Verve Energy as the lead contractor to build Australia's first utility-scale solar power plant: a 10 MW plant near Geraldton, Western Australia. The development would be built as a public-private partnership at a cost of $58million, with $20million State Government contribution, including $10million from the Royalties for Regions fund.

The expansion of Verve Energy's Grasmere wind farm at Albany will add six wind turbines and expand the facility's capacity by 13.8MW, to an overall 35.4MW. Growth in renewable energy produced will make Albany a greener city with potentially 80 per cent of its energy use coming from wind power. The 20 MW Albany wind farm was, when opened in October 2001, Australia's largest wind farm.

BP Solar and Verve Energy are both Members of WA SEA, Australia's largest energy chamber.



WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA) Media Release - 21 September 2010

Editors notes:
1. Energy Minister Hon Peter Collier media release - http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=134026& http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=134027&
2. BP Solar media release http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9020436&contentId=7065104
3. The Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA) is a chamber of enterprises has a growing membership of over 360 industry members from a diversity of businesses. WA SEA is the largest energy industry body in Australia. www.wasea.com.au.
4. WA SEA bringing you the Energising SE Asia Conference 23-26 March 2011, Perth.