SA wind power changes strike the right balance

19 October 2011

The renewable energy industry’s peak body said the wind farm reforms announced by the South Australian Government today strike the right balance between supporting clean energy and giving communities a voice in the planning process.

Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said the changes by the government would provide the industry with certainty while helping to engage the community in the planning process.

“These changes will encourage a closer working relationship between the wind industry, local councils and regional communities, which can only be a good thing,” Mr Marsh said.

“The wind farms currently proposed in the state will deliver more than $1.8 billion in local investment and provide around 1000 direct jobs, most of which will go to locals.

“This is still an emerging area and getting this process right is challenging, but we believe the new planning process provides a better balance than the situation in Victoria for example,” he said.

Mr Marsh also paid tribute to Premier Mike Rann, who he said had elevated South Australia to its present status as a national leader on renewable energy.

“South Australia’s carbon emissions have fallen by just under 20 per cent and most of this is due to the state’s 15 wind farms, which produce enough electricity each year to power the equivalent of almost 500,000 homes. More than 20 per cent of the state’s electricity now comes from renewable energy,” Mr
Marsh said.

“We hope incoming Premier Jay Weatherill will be as passionate about clean energy in SA as Mike Rann has demonstrated time and again while he was in office.”

For more information or to arrange an interview contact Mark Bretherton on (03) 9929 4111.