Political Madness: Renewables ready to plug in
Three thousand six hundred megawatts of new wind and solar farms are ready to play their part in replacing the 1680 MW capacity of Liddell power station when it closes in 2022, the Australian Wind Alliance said.
National coordinator of the Australian Wind Alliance, Andrew Bray says more than 1,000 MW of wind and solar are being built in New South Wales with a further 2,600 MW of projects approved and ready to go (see figures below).
“Cheap renewables combined with modern solutions like batteries and demand management will keep the system reliable and lower power bills,” Mr Bray said.
“New wind and solar farms will generate power at different times in different parts of the state so their output is highly predictable and dependable”.
“And speedy one to two-year construction periods mean these projects can be up and running by 2022.”
The government’s inability to put politics aside and support the transition to clean energy is the real reason much of the country risks blackouts this summer.
The government’s obsession with coal and schoolyard name calling is putting politics ahead of Australian households, while power bills continue to rise.
“You can’t fix engineering problems with politics.” Mr Bray said.
“The worst response to spiralling energy bills and a fragile system would be to prop up an old clunker like Liddell.”
“Liddell is the oldest and least reliable plant in Australia’s energy grid. It failed during the February heat wave in NSW at a time when it was needed most.”
NSW Wind and solar projects
Under construction
5 wind farms – 867 MW
5 solar farms – 210 MW
Total – 1077 MW
Approved
11 Wind Farms – 1547 MW
17 Solar Farms – 1115 MW
Total – 2677 MW
Approved Wind Farms
| Project | Developer | WTG | MW | ||
| Capital II | Infigen | Approved | Southern Tablelands | 41 | 90 |
| Flyers Creek | Infigen | Approved | Central Tablelands | 42 | 145 |
| Coppabella | Goldwind | Approved | Southern Tablelands | 79 | 266 |
| Biala | Newtricity | Approved | Southern Tablelands | 31 | 100 |
| Conroy’s Gap | Epuron | Approved | Southern Tablelands | 15 | 30 |
| Rye Park | Tilt | Approved | Southern Tablelands | 92 | 276 |
| Boco Rock II | CWP Renewables | Approved | Southern Tablelands | 55 | 93.5 |
| Collector | RATCH | Approved | Southern Tablelands | 63 | 214 |
| Glen Innes | Nexif | Approved | Northern Tablelands | 25 | 75 |
| White Rock 2 | Goldwind | Approved | Northern Tablelands | 49 | 122.5 |
| Crudine Ridge | CWP Renewables | Approved | Central Tablelands | 77 | 135 |
| TOTAL | 11 | 569 | 1547 |
Approved Solar Farms
| Project | Region | MW |
| Bomen Solar Energy System | Riverina | 22 |
| Capital Solar | South East | 50 |
| Gidginbung Solar Farm | Riverina | 15 |
| Goonumbla Solar Farm | Central West | 70 |
| Gullen Solar Farm | South East | 10 |
| Gunnedah Solar Farm | North West | 27 |
| Kyoto Energy Park | Hunter | 137 |
| Limondale Solar | Western | 250 |
| Metz Solar Park | Northern Tablelands | 100 |
| Moree Solar Farm and Subdivision | North West | 4 |
| Narromine Solar PV Farm | Central West | 11 |
| Nevertire Solar | Central West | 105 |
| Riverina Solar | Riverina | 30 |
| Sunraysia Solar | Western | 200 |
| Walgett | North West | 30 |
| Western plains Solar Energy System | Central West | 29 |
| Molong Solar Farm | Central Tablelands | 25 |
| Total | 1115 |
Data compiled with assistance from Nature Conservation Council NSW.
Media inquiries: Greg Muller, 0414 654 288, greg@climatemediecentre.org.au
The Australian Wind Alliance is a community-based advocacy group of farmers, wind workers, small businesses and residents. We share a common vision of harnessing Australia’s world-class wind resources to power our homes, cities and industries with clean renewable energy. Go to www.windalliance.org.au for details.