New South Wales leading the nation with large scale solar farms
NSW to double existing solar farm capacity with four new plants approved, SMH, Peter Hannam ENVIRONMENT EDITOR, THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD 23 JUNE 16 The Baird government has granted planning approval for four new large-scale solar plants, potentially more than doubling the existing capacity in the state.
The four plants approved for construction have a combined capacity of 175 megawatts (MW), and would generate another electricity for 56,000 homes if built. “NSW is Australia’s large-scale solar leader, with the country’s three largest solar farms and hundreds of megawatts of solar electricity capacity online and in the pipeline,” planning minister Rob Stokes said.
“We want to make people’s lives better through good planning, and these projects will increase electricity capacity, cut greenhouse emissions and create jobs for local communities”.
Building the plants would generate more than 330 new construction jobs, save 342,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas annually, and include more than a half a million solar panels between them, Mr Stokes’ office said.
NSW is already home to AGL’s two solar plants at Broken Hill and Nyngan, which are operating with a combined capacity of 155 megawatts. Also under construction is the 56 MW Moree solar farm, the largest now being built in Australia.
Solar energy is the one bright spot for renewables in NSW. Compared with other states, NSW has the second lowest share of clean energy as a total of its electricity, ahead of only Queensland……..
The four new solar farms are the White Rock project with 20 megawatt capacity, one in Griffith for 60 MW, the Yoogali farm, also near Griffith, with 30 MW and a 65-MW plant for Parkes.
Most of the new plants would be among Australia’s largest. Apart from the Moree plant, the next largest under construction now is a 25-MW plant at Barcaldine in Queensland, according to the Clean Energy Council.
Two other solar farms have had state approval since 2011: the Capital Solar plant in Bungendore with a capacity of 50MW and Manildra Solar Farm with a capacity of 42MW.
Joint Regional Planning Panels have also given approval for three other plants totaling 63 MW at Wagga Wagga, Temora and Dubbo.
Kane Thornton, chief executive of the Clean Energy Council, welcomed the latest proof that large-scale solar was “really cementing its place in Australia’s electricity mix”.
“The potential for large-scale solar right across Australia is massive, and these projects would help ensure NSW remains in the race for each state’s share of renewable energy jobs and investment,” Mr Thornton said.
That race is hotting up, with Daniel Andrews, Victoria’s Labor premier, earlier this month announcing plans for his state to aim for 40 per cent renewable energy in its electricity sector by 2025.
South Australia’s target is 50 per cent renewable energy in its electricity sector by 2025, while Queensland is aiming for that ratio by 2030. NSW’s target is 20 per cent by 2020-21.
Federally, the Turnbull government has made no announcement about its post-2020 renewable energy target, while a Shorten government has promised to aim for 50 per cent by 2030. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/nsw-to-double-existing-solar-farm-capacity-with-four-new-plants-approved-20160623-gpq7qb.html#ixzz4CRmMBPEW
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1.This month.
Zoom webinar – “Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange.”
April 7th at 11:30 am PST / 2:30 pm EST
Nuclear Winter: The Environmental Consequences of a Nuclear Exchange”
Join us for an informative webinar with renowned atmospheric scientist, Professor Brian Toon, as he discusses the environmental risks and global impacts of a nuclear war. Despite the potential damage caused by the blast from even small nuclear weapons, many countries continue to invest in and expand nuclear arsenals. Professor Toon will provide a scientific assessment of civilian fatalities, agricultural failures, climate concerns, and complications with food supply that would follow any international nuclear conflict. We need to plan how to prevent nuclear conflict and avoid catastrophe. Politicians and military planners must be made aware of global climate and agricultural complications that would ensue. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from, and engage in, this vital conversation
The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.
The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.
Antinuclear 
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