WIND farm proponents in this area can take positives from the recent ACT auction, says an advocate.
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At least three Southern Tablelands projects tendered for the recent ACT renewable energy auction but all missed out.
Instead, the Territory government selected one in South Australia and two in Victoria, including the six-turbine, 18 megawatt Coonooer Bridge project owned by 30 local farmers near Bendigo.
Australian Wind Alliance organiser and Goulburn woman, Mhairi Fraser, said it was disappointing that district developments had been overlooked.
Union Fenosa’s Crookwell III wind farm, Infigen’s Capital Two project and Ratch Australia’s Collector plan all lodged bids.
“It’s a disappointing result for (them) and for Goulburn businesses that are contributing significantly to not only the building but the maintenance of these projects,” Mrs Fraser said.
“It stalls things but the good aspect is that the auction set the bar high for the industry and for community engagement.”
Bids won on price and the level of community consultation.
The Alliance is singing the praises of the Coonooer Bridge model, which involves local ownership and strong communication.
Mrs Fraser said wind farm proponents here should not lose heart, given the ACT would hold a second auction round.
“We are not out of the picture and hopefully lessons have been learnt on community engagement,” she said.
The Territory is aiming for 30 per cent renewable energy by 2020 and 80pc by 2050.
Local projects are weighing up their options after losing out.
Union Fenosa project director Shaq Mohajerani is among those raising their eyebrows at the ‘merchant level’ prices offered by the three winning bids. He told the Canberra Times it reflected the cheaper prices in the southern states.
Ratch Australia’s Collector wind farm project director Anthony Yeates said, via a spokesman, that the company was considering the implications and studying the detail of Friday’s announcement.
However it was committed to proceeding with the development.
Mrs Fraser said with uncertainty over the federal government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET), it was a “race to the bottom” and prices were highly competitive.
She forecast that wind energy would eventually become cheaper with new technology, economies of scale and changes to the energy market generally.
“I think these projects, if they’re able to manage protracted conflict and the government allows them to go ahead, will be able to lower costs,” she said.
“The proof will be in the pudding.
(The winning companies) certainly wouldn’t have gone into this if they didn’t think they could deliver at that price.”
The Alliance maintains they are proof that wind energy can be competitive with fossil fuels.
She argued while the ACT was leading the way with its target, any commitment at federal level was hitting “roadblock after roadblock.”
Meantime, the UK and other countries were quickly taking up renewable energy, leaving Australia behind.
But not everyone is so enthusiastic.
Some Tarago district residents, at least, say the ACT decision sends a signal.
Residents Against Jupiter Wind Farm member and Tarago grazier, Dr Michael Crawford said he was pleased with the outcome.
“It has no immediate effect here (with the Jupiter project) but sends a message that’s relevant to its future and is a positive for us,” he told the Post.
“…These things were decided on economics and that says that wind energy there is able to be produced more efficiently than in our area. That is probably a permanent future and it will make it very hard for developments in this region.”