August 15, 2003—The Howard Government in Western Australia will provide funding of up to $1.34 million from the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program to install a wind turbine at Hopetoun on Western Australia’s south coast. The Minister for Environment and Heritage, Dr David Kemp, said the 600 kilowatt wind turbine will reduce the reliance of the Hopetoun community on diesel for power generation.
“The new wind turbine will provide about 42% of the town’s electricity needs and will see a reduction in fuel consumption of over 400,000 litres per year, resulting in greenhouse gas savings of over 1,100 tonnes per year,” Dr Kemp said.
Western Power, which installed Australia’s first wind farm at Esperance in 1987, will install the new wind turbine. Powercorp, an innovative Australian company will contribute its skills to the control and monitoring systems.
The project will involve a cutting edge approach to integrating a wind turbine with diesel generation to maximise the efficient use of this renewable energy source. Construction is planned to commence later this year with the new wind turbine commissioned in the middle of 2004.
The acting Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Mr Joe Hockey, said that the Howard Government is committed to meeting the energy needs of remote communities and developing a significant renewable energy industry.
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program is a Commonwealth program that provides funding to the States for the installation of renewable generation in remote parts of Australia not connected to the main electricity grid. To date the Commonwealth has approved over $117 million for renewable power generation in remote parts of Australia that rely on diesel generation.
