Published August 20, 2010

Here are two upcoming events where landholders can learn about opportunities that exist in the growing industry of renewable energy production.

Wind turbines for Landholders

We talk about food miles, but what about energy miles? Imagine if some of our energy requirements could be generated regionally.
Wind turbines produce clean energy, they generate jobs in regional communities and landholders that host turbines can earn significant revenue. The NSW Department of Environment Climate Change & Water (DECCW) are hosting a public forum on Friday 27th August at the Coolah Sporting Club. 9.00am (sharp) – 4.00pm.

Hear from experts - people working in the industry - about the steps involved in wind farm development for landowners.

For more information and to RSVP (by August 23) contact Pauline Dunne directly on 4908 6848         

E: pauline.dunne@environment.nsw.gov.au

Potential Bio Energy industry in Mudgee area

Bio energy is a renewable energy derived from biomass, and accounts for almost 5% primary energy consumption compared to only 0.3% of wind and solar combined. Delta Electricity (who run nearby power station Wallerawang) are running a trial of “renewable fuel pellets” (derived from Mallee timber) to supplement coal by up to 20%. They have initiated tree planting projects for feedstocks in the Forbes district (source www.dpi.nsw.gov.au)

Local landholders interested in farm forestry opportunities are being encouraged to take part in an interview with researchers who are looking at the viability of a bio energy industry based around plantation biomass in the Central Tablelands region.

Researchers for first phase of the project are planning to consult widely with landholders, community groups, government agencies and the forestry and energy sectors to work out what options might be viable, what barriers exist and what measures would be needed to make commercial farm forestry viable in the Central Tablelands.

The one hour interviews will take place in the Mudgee area August 30th and 31st.  An open forum on Wednesday September 1st will present key themes and results for people who participate in the interviews.

The information from these interviews will feed into a much bigger project (involving the CSIRO) which plans to use the Central Tablelands as a case study area for the development of a bio energy industry.

Participating landholders will also have the opportunity to take part in workshops early 2011 which will focus on commercial aspects of developing a bio energy industry in our region. Contact Thea at Watershed to register your interest.