Category: small scale wind

community owned wind farms, community support for windfarms, Friends of the Earth, Macedon Ranges community wind farm, Napthine Government, Policy Watch, renewable energy, Renewable Energy Target, small scale wind, South Barwon, The Greens, Victorian Coalition, Victorian Labor Party, wind farm 'no go' zones, Wind Farm BenefitsLeave a comment

Victoria’s anti-wind farm legislation now threatens the viability of pre-approved wind projects

andrewr
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Premier Napthine and PM Tony Abbott sing from the same song sheet when it comes to renewable energy.

Numerous wind farm developments across Victoria may face termination due to the highly inflexible and restrictive nature of the Napthine government’s anti-wind farm laws and permit rules.

The Weekly Times report that the 20 companies successfully granted permits prior to the introduction of these laws have been denied the ability to make simple upgrades to their farm turbines.

These upgrades – designed merely to implement new and more efficient technology – would in no way infringe on conditions already held.

What’s more, the reluctance of the Napthine government and its Planning Minister Matthew Guy to accommodate for such rudimentary modifications could see the loss of considerable, and much-needed, revenue and employment to regional communities. Continue reading “Victoria’s anti-wind farm legislation now threatens the viability of pre-approved wind projects”

small scale wind, Wind Energy1 Comment

Shopping malls powered by the wind?

andrewr

Shopping malls powered by the wind? The Newcastle Herald reports that Waratah Village shopping centre in will be the first in New South Wales to generate it’s own electricity from small-scale wind farms:

WARATAH Village will become the state’s first shopping centre to draw power from on-site wind turbines.

Footings for the three 14-metre-high turbines are being prepared this week.

The turbines, which Newcastle City Council approved in 2011, will be lifted into place in April.

A spokesman for Nekon Pty Ltd said the company had successfully introduced similar turbines at several other shopping centres in Australia.

‘‘Wind turbines are proven initiatives in supplying renewable energy,’’ he said.

Continue reading “Shopping malls powered by the wind?”

community support for windfarms, renewable energy, Renewable technologies, renewables & employment, small scale wind, United States, Wind Farm Benefits, Wind farmers, wind farms, wind farms & noise, wind farms & tourism3 Comments

Turbine tourism: Bus tours of a wind-energy park are a big hit

martanieczyporuk

Published by Grist. View original article. Michigan now has nearly 900 wind turbines, and that lit a lightbulb in the entrepreneurial mind of retired teacher Gene Jorissen. Last summer, he started leading hour-long bus tours of the turbine-dotted Lakes Winds … Continue reading Turbine tourism: Bus tours of a wind-energy park are a big hit

climate change, community owned wind farms, Community solar, community support for windfarms, Regional Development, renewable energy, renewables & employment, small scale wind, Wind Farm BenefitsLeave a comment

New campaign calls on politicians to support a Community Energy Fund

Leigh Ewbank

lunapic_136902310533291_2(1)Yes 2 Renewables are proud to join community energy groups and national renewable energy organisations to launch the Fund Community Energy campaign.

The Fund Community Energy campaign is urging the Federal Government to support the emerging community-owned energy sector with a $50 million grant fund. The campaign is now collecting signatures on a petition it will take to Parliament House in June.

The campaign believes politicians risk killing off the infant energy sector if they fail to establish a multi-million dollar  Community Energy Fund.

“While community energy is growing quickly, the new sector they will need support if they are going to succeed,” said Nicky Ison of the Community Power Agency.

“Over 35 communities across Australia are developing community owned wind and solar projects, but only two are up and running. If the other 33 groups don’t receive start-up assistance soon, they risk dying on the vine,” added Nicky Ison. Continue reading “New campaign calls on politicians to support a Community Energy Fund”

community owned wind farms, community support for windfarms, Renewable technologies, renewables & employment, small scale wind, Wind Energy Mythbusting, Wind Farm Benefits, wind farms, Wind workers2 Comments

Ten Good Things (about wind energy)

Leigh Ewbank

When thinking about wind workers, the first things that come to mind are the metalworkers who labor in enormous factories fabricating turbine towers; the construction crews dealing with the logistical challenges of installation; and the specialised electricians who monitor and … Continue reading Ten Good Things (about wind energy)

Castlemaine community wind farm, community owned wind farms, community support for windfarms, renewable energy, small scale wind, victoriaLeave a comment

Community Wind Power Forums well-attended

Cam Walker

Last week’s Community Wind Forum in Castlemaine Town Hall marked the last of 6 held across Mount Alexander area in the past 3 weeks. “We are very grateful to the 170 community members who’ve participated in the forums.  We’ve received … Continue reading Community Wind Power Forums well-attended

Bendigo, Castlemaine community wind farm, coal vs renewables, community owned wind farms, community support for windfarms, Macedon Ranges, Macedon Ranges community wind farm, small scale wind, victoria, Victorian Coalition25 Comments

Where did the ‘No Go’ zones come from?

Cam Walker

The following is a letter from last weeks Macedon Ranges Weekly. Where did the ‘No Go’ zones come from? Last year, the state government created a series of ‘No Go’ zones, which block wind energy developments across much of Victoria, including the Macedon – McHarg Ranges. The government seems to think these ranges extend almost as far north as Bendigo. Member for Northern Victoria Donna Petrovich has said in state parliament that the No Go zones were “carefully” selected where communities “on the whole have told us that they are not appreciative of wind farms”. Given the controversial nature of … Continue reading Where did the ‘No Go’ zones come from?

Castlemaine community wind farm, community owned wind farms, community support for windfarms, renewable energy, small scale wind, victoriaLeave a comment

Community Forums: a conversation about community-owned wind in Mount Alexander Shire

Cam Walker

As part of it’s community engagement as it builds support for the vision of a community-owned wind park in the Mt Alexander Shire, Mt Alexander Community Wind is starting a series of community forums this week. Community Forums will be held across the shire and will offer locals a chance to hear about the vision of the project and have input into the project principles and design.  The purpose of the forums is to have a constructive community conversation about what a welcomed and appropriate community owned wind park would look like in our shire. Dates: Newstead Tuesday 24th April, … Continue reading Community Forums: a conversation about community-owned wind in Mount Alexander Shire

community owned wind farms, Macedon Ranges, Macedon Ranges community wind farm, Planning approval process, renewable energy, small scale wind, victoria, Victorian Coalition, wind farm 'no go' zones26 Comments

Woodend group grows push for wind farm

Cam Walker

This article is from the Macedon Ranges Weekly. Journalist: Angela Valente A WOODEND sustainability group is ramping up its campaign for a community-owned wind farm on the town’s southern edge. Unfazed that state laws disallow any new wind farm projects in the Macedon Ranges, the group says planning laws could change if the residents support the project. Woodend Integrated Sustainable Energy (WISE) is proposing a three-turbine wind farm on land leased for a pine plantation on Fingerpost Road, just south of Woodend. The land is leased by the Hancock Timber Resource Group, which has indicated support for the project. The … Continue reading Woodend group grows push for wind farm