Antinuclear

64000 job losses in Victoria due to cuts in Renewable Energy Target?

Renewable energy cuts could cost 6400 jobs in Victoria The Age, May 9, 2014 Mark Hawthorne – Senior EditorA cut to the 20 per cent renewable energy target – currently under review – could cost Victoria 6400 jobs, including an estimated 750 jobs in Premier Denis Napthine’s seat alone.

According to data from the Clean Energy Council, 17 Victorian wind farm projects that have received state government approval are unlikely to go ahead if the target is cut by the Abbott government.

Major projects under threat include Origin Energy’s 392.5-megawatt wind farm at Stockyard Hill, WestWind Energy’s 321-megawatt project at Moorabool, near Geelong, and RES Australia’s 247.5-megawatt wind farm at Ararat.

The Clean Energy Council estimates those three wind farms alone would create 3071 jobs in Victoria, including 240 permanent positions.

Three other wind farms under threat are located in Dr Napthine’s seat of South West Coast.

Union Fenosa’s wind farms at Ryan Corner and Hawkesdale and a smaller 40-megawatt Wind Farm Developments project at Woolsthorpe would create about 750 jobs during the construction phase, and 58 permanent positions running and servicing the wind farms.

“Reducing or removing the policy would mean fewer opportunities for construction workers and contractors, as well as all the industries that support them,’’ said Clean Energy Council policy manager Darren Gladman……….

Such is the plight of the renewable energy industry, the country’s two biggest companies in the sector – Infigen Energy and Pacific Hydro – now invest more money overseas than within Australia.

The premier’s office did not comment by deadline.  http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/renewable-energy-cuts-could-cost-6400-jobs-in-victoria-20140508-zr70r.html#ixzz31Feupyy8

May 9, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News