Antinuclear

Cairns to host renewable energy session on report on Queensland’s Far North energy potential

 a renewable energy information session would be held in Cairns within weeks to discuss the report, plan and the next steps.

Far North could be capital for renewable energy http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/10/03/234605_local-news.html Nick Dalton  October 3, 2012, The Cairns Post A MOVE to make the Far North the renewable energy capital of Australia has been backed by a new State Government report which shows the sector has the potential to be worth $750 million a year and employ more than 2500 people within 10 years.

The report and a development plan commissioned by the State Government showed the industry, which includes solar, wind, biomasse and biodiesel, is currently worth $100 million a year involving 108 businesses which employed 700 people. The detailed strategy and action plan called for the employment of a full-time project officer to
implement the recommendations to grow the industry.
Report authors David Smyth and Grant Behrendorff, of Evolve Energy in Cairns, said a steering committee involving more than 12 people from the industry as well as Cairns Regional Council, Advance Cairns, Ergon Energy, the State and Federal governments was already working to implement the recommendations.
The Department of Energy and Water Supply’s embedded generation,
research and development and industry energy division director Tim
Quirey said a renewable energy information session would be held in
Cairns within weeks to discuss the report, plan and the next steps.
Mr Quirey said it was up to the industry, as well as commitment from
business and civic leaders, to drive expansion.
“The Queensland Government wants to empower regions to take control of
their own destiny and we are providing the support mechanisms, like
the release of this development plan, to help them do that,” he said.
“It is now up to northern councils and economic and tourism
development groups to consider how best to implement the plan and the
Government will provide advice and support where possible.”
The report said the renewable energy industry offered the region “the
potential to diversify and strengthen the economy, improve energy
security and proactively manage future electricity supply costs”.
“With adequate support the industry has the potential to significantly
grow in value and scale, enhancing and complimenting existing economic
activity in TNQ,” it said.
The report said that by 2015 the industry would generate more than
$200 million a year and employ more than 950 people, increasing to
$750 million-plus and 2500 people by 2020 and $800 million-plus and
2600-plus by 2030.
To achieve this, the report said more wind farms would have to be
built, more solar energy panels would have to be installed as well as
increases in specialised manufacturing (solar panels etc) and
professional services (engineers, consultants etc).

October 4, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | energy, Queensland