Community group wants local power
The Peninsula could be powered by community-owned wind turbines and solar panels if a new local community group has its way.
The group, Central Coast Community Energy, has formed in Woy Woy after it heard of the Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative near Daylesford in Victoria.
The Hepburn Wind co-operative, owned by 1900 residents of Daylesford, operates two wind turbines generating up to 4.1MW.
The $15 million project is estimated to produce 12,200 MWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the consumption of 2300 homes, more than the number of homes in Daylesford.
Local solar expert Mr Joachim Muller told a meeting at the Peninsula Environment Centre on Thursday, July 12, how a local group could be formed based on the Hepburn Wind model.
"There are many community groups operating renewable power generation projects in Europe," said Mr Muller.
"So far, Australia has seen one group, Hepburn Wind in Victoria, running two wind turbines feeding electricity into the grid.
"The success of the Hepburn project is inspiring groups around Australia," said Mr Muller.
He said that a combination of solar and wind could be used here.
"Solar plants and wind turbines complement each other in an ideal way.
"Wind projects take a very long time and are expensive but they produce electricity at very low cost.
"Solar plants on the other hand are modular and can be built quickly and in any size and cost range.
"Although photo-voltaic cells produce electricity at a cost higher than coal-fired power stations, retail prices of electricity are so high, solar power can still be sold at a profit."
Mr Muller said that the group's current target was to identify potential links with Gosford and Wyong Councils and progressive businesses on the Coast.
"Central Coast Community Energy encourages community members, especially those with experience in financing, energy markets, business planning, grant writing, graphics design and renewable technologies, to join the group," said Mr Muller.
Media Release, 14 July 2012
Jo Muller, Central Coast Community Energy
Photo: Franz Reidel