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Doubt cast on gas-fired power station plan

It now seems unlikely that a gas-fired power station will be built on the New South Wales far south coast.

Queensland-based Wambo Power Ventures has proposed building a peak demand electricity generator near Bega, using natural gas drawn from the main trunk line that passes across the Monaro.

 

But Wambo managing director Trevor St Baker says the figures are just not stacking up.

"The environmental and forestry, national park considerations that got in the way of bringing the gas pipeline down from the mountain. It probably proved as difficult as getting a transmission line down, so at the moment I think the powers that be would be looking at whether it's better to bring another powerline down," he said.

A Better Solution

What do butterflies have to do with power stations? Click image.

The Bega Valley community is seeking durable solutions to local problems. Short-term fixes, development-at-any-cost, and unchecked environmental risk are simply no longer viable strategies.

The old choice between economy and environment is not only unnecessary, it's also liable to backfire. In fact, communities and businesses are learning to prosper from environmental solutions.

The proposed 120Mw gas fired power station is not the answer for our 21st century needs. This proposal:

  • undermines energy efficiency initiatives that could be putting thousands of dollars back into household budgets;
  • will cause significant air quality problems for Bega;
  • damage sensitive grasslands;
  • consume 1 Gigalitre of water per annum;
  • lock out investment opportunities in renewable technologies;
  • will cost this region $150,000,000 per annum.

Renewable Energy Analyses

Bega Valley Shire Council Passed a resolution to investigate alternate energy sources on December 13, 2005. Moved Greens Cr Hughes, seconded Cr McGill and Resolved in the affirmative at the Council Meeting that:

  1. That Council requests the State Government to fund an independent study of alternative power sources to address the long term needs of the Shire. That the investigation include a full economic and environmental assessment of currently available renewable energy technologies such as wind, bio-electricity, wave, tidal and solar and that demand management strategies following an energy audit be considered.
  2. That Council ask for all existing studies on the range of possible options for meeting the Shire's future power needs by Country Energy (including information arising from the process of calling for and receiving expressions of interest which preceded the award of the tender to Wambo), Wambo, the Department of Planning and the Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability to be examined by Council officers (or an independent expert) to ensure that appropriate consideration has been given to the sustainable alternatives.

Power to the People

Efficiency initiatives can save as much as 50% of a community's energy consumption and with most actions having a payback period of less than 3 years, schemes can become self funding.

By implementing efficiency initiatives our community will:

  • defer costly grid upgrades;
  • put millions of dollars back into our pockets;
  • create jobs;
  • reduce greenhouse gasses;
  • improve our comfort and health.

Renewables

Baglan Energy Park in South Wales

Renewable energy offers many environmental benefits over conventional electricity generation sources like fossil fuels. Far fewer pollutants are released into the environment and renewable energy sources are completely sustainable as they are continuously replenished by nature.

Solar, wind, biomass, micro-hydro and dozens of other technologies new and old are all viable solutions to meet our present day energy needs.

Solar hot water alone can slash household energy by as much as 40% yet less than 5% of houses have one.

Many new technologies such as low cost photovoltaics and wind are are already commercially viable while mass production guarantees that costs will fall further.