❓ Mr. Taylor asks about a solar farm project on Rottnest Island. The Minister responds with details about the project's funding, partners, and expected benefits, while also expressing condolences for fire victims in Esperance.
AnsweredQoN 976Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROTTNEST
ISLAND — SOLAR FARM
976. Mr M.H. TAYLOR to the
Minister for Tourism:
I read in today's The
West Australian about a significant renewable energy project on Rottnest
Island. Can the minister provide more information about this initiative and the
benefits it will deliver?
ISLAND — SOLAR FARM
976. Mr M.H. TAYLOR to the
Minister for Tourism:
I read in today's The
West Australian about a significant renewable energy project on Rottnest
Island. Can the minister provide more information about this initiative and the
benefits it will deliver?
AnswerView source ↗
I pass on the condolences of state government, particularly
to the four people who appear to have lost their lives in the fire—one
male in one vehicle, and a male and two females in another vehicle. There are
three fires burning in the Esperance–Salmon Gums–Grass Patch
region that remain out of control. We pass on our condolences to the families
of those who have passed and to those who have lost significantly in both
houses and crops. Members may be aware that the Premier, the Minister for
Emergency Services and the member for Eyre have all gone to Esperance today as
a result of that fire.
I thank the member for the question about Rottnest Island.
Members may have read today that we have initiated a solar power, renewable
energy project on Rottnest Island that will increase the renewable energy
capacity from 30 per cent from the old turbine—the one Mr Abbott loved
so much—to 45 per cent. This will grow in the future because at some
stage in the future we will also look at the Carnegie proposal that operates at
the nearby island. There is a $7.3 million project to do this, with $2.5 million
of state government money through the Rottnest Island Authority and $4.8 million
of federal government money through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency
project. We have linked with Hydro Tasmania, which has enormous experience in
not only applying for and getting funds, but also this type of renewable
energy. It will be working with us to build a 600-kilowatt solar farm. I would
like to pass on my thanks to the Minister for Energy, because through him we
were able to access the solar panels we needed for this project at a very low
price, which will save the Rottnest Island Authority an enormous amount of
money. Currently, the wind turbine saves the authority about $500 000 a year in
what would otherwise be diesel-generated power. This project will add
significantly to that. I congratulate the Rottnest Island board and staff who
work very hard to maintain the quality of the services at Rottnest and
particularly make sure that we focus on renewable energy to supply the needs of
the island.
to the four people who appear to have lost their lives in the fire—one
male in one vehicle, and a male and two females in another vehicle. There are
three fires burning in the Esperance–Salmon Gums–Grass Patch
region that remain out of control. We pass on our condolences to the families
of those who have passed and to those who have lost significantly in both
houses and crops. Members may be aware that the Premier, the Minister for
Emergency Services and the member for Eyre have all gone to Esperance today as
a result of that fire.
I thank the member for the question about Rottnest Island.
Members may have read today that we have initiated a solar power, renewable
energy project on Rottnest Island that will increase the renewable energy
capacity from 30 per cent from the old turbine—the one Mr Abbott loved
so much—to 45 per cent. This will grow in the future because at some
stage in the future we will also look at the Carnegie proposal that operates at
the nearby island. There is a $7.3 million project to do this, with $2.5 million
of state government money through the Rottnest Island Authority and $4.8 million
of federal government money through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency
project. We have linked with Hydro Tasmania, which has enormous experience in
not only applying for and getting funds, but also this type of renewable
energy. It will be working with us to build a 600-kilowatt solar farm. I would
like to pass on my thanks to the Minister for Energy, because through him we
were able to access the solar panels we needed for this project at a very low
price, which will save the Rottnest Island Authority an enormous amount of
money. Currently, the wind turbine saves the authority about $500 000 a year in
what would otherwise be diesel-generated power. This project will add
significantly to that. I congratulate the Rottnest Island board and staff who
work very hard to maintain the quality of the services at Rottnest and
particularly make sure that we focus on renewable energy to supply the needs of
the island.
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