Australian Renewable Fuels (ARF) managing director Darryl Butcher said the announcements were relatively neutral to the development of biodiesel in Australia.
“ARF is committed to the development of a large commercial biodiesel industry in Australia but note that the relative benefits provided in places such as the European Community, are substantially greater than those available here and that will retard the expansion of the industry.”
Butcher added that the paper did appeared to strike a reasonable balance between the need for continued growth in energy supply and the need to reduce the environmental impact-particularly in terms of greenhouse gases.
However Solar Sales MD John Hall was less conciliatory referring to the paper’s focus on the stability of the country’s electricity supply.
“Obviously no one from Canberra was in Perth in August and October 2003 or the disastrous time in February 2004 when power blackouts occurred, and the general public was threatened with $10,000 fines for running air conditioners.”
“The State Government’s solution now is to award contracts for either NG or coal-fired 330 MW power stations. No mention or thought to expand solar power systems for Perth at all. I am just frustrated that once again our side of the renewable energy industry is not taken seriously by those in authority,” said Hall.
Hall was especially taken aback by Howard’s reasoning on why Australia will not ratify the Kyoto Protocol as it could result in a net export of jobs and investment and industries.
“The Australian Government is worried about the possibilities of job losses if it increased the MRET target about 1%, yet it is estimated that in Germany their renewable energy feed in tariff legislation has created more than 130,000 new jobs and brings into the German economy over €5billion (A$8.7billion) in new investments each year across the PV, Wind, Biomass, Hydro and Geo Thermal Energy sectors.” said Hall.
The $75 million ‘Solar Cities’ trial also received a spray, with Hall saying it would result in delaying the introduction of already proven technology.
“Such demonstrations put on hold technology that is available right now and is enjoying widespread commercial acceptance overseas already in places like Japan, USA and Europe.”
