Antinuclear

Double benefit in farming both cattle and wind, in Western Australia

WA farmer living amongst wind turbines backs keeping Renewable Energy Target 7 NEWS BY CLAIRE MOODIESeptember 14, 2014 Living amongst 15 massive wind turbines might not be everyone’s idea of paradise, but West Australian Mid West farmer Bruce Garratt believes he is investing in the future.

Eight years ago, he agreed to accommodate the turbines as part of WA’s first privately-built wind farm, south of Geraldton, and is still enjoying the serenity.

“People tell me how noisy they are, people tell me how they affect your health,” he said. “I’ve had lots of people tell me different things that honestly, unless they have lived on a wind farm, they don’t really know what they are talking about.”

Mr Garratt, who manages cattle and crops on his 2,000 acre property, said the turbines — part of the Alinta Walkaway Wind Farm — provided an additional passive income, as well as a sense of purpose.

“No-one in their right mind could put up an argument and say that wind turbines aren’t of benefit,” he said. “They’re not producing C02.”

Mr Garratt is critical of the recent Warburton review that recommended either closing the Renewable Energy Target (RET) to new entrants or scaling it back…….

Coal-fired generators the winners: wind farm owner

Miles George of Infigen Energy, which owns the Alinta Walkaway Wind farm, has urged caution.

“The so-called ‘real 20 per cent’, which represents a two-thirds cut in investment in renewables going forward, is pretty much the same as the first option, which is to kill the industry,” he said.

“Both are death for our industry.

“The only people who will win from cutting the target are the big coal-fired generators and their profitability.”

The Warburton review found new renewable electricity generation had almost doubled as a result of the scheme, but that the current RET would require a further $22 billion in cross-subsidies.

Mr Moyle wants to ensure resource projects in Western Australia maintain their competitive advantage.

“The review has suggested that in its current form, that competitive advantage will be eroded over time if we continue with the RET at its current levels,” he said.

Mr Garratt believes the Government should commit to the existing scheme.

“We had 36 degrees in the middle of April,” he said.

“Now that’s unheard of. I’ve been here for 30 years and I’ve never seen wheat die, ever, until this year.

“No-one can tell me that global warming is not happening.

“I think renewables are coming in and it’s going to be a hard fight to stop them.” https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/24984413/wa-farmer-living-amongst-wind-turbines-backs-keeping-renewable-energy-target/

September 15, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Western Australia, wind