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Green Light For Briagolong’s Bright Idea

New solar power project causes a buzz in Australia's energy industry

By Karen Gregory - 10th September 2002 - Back to News

Wellington Shire Council has given the green light to a solar power project that’s causing a buzz in the renewable energy industry of Australia.

The small community of Briagolong has been told it can go ahead with a business plan to develop its own solar power station as part of the town’s personal crusade against the Greenhouse Effect.

The 500-strong community approached the Council with the idea of supplying their own power needs to the town’s 220 homes.

Wellington Mayor Malcolm Hole said that the project, initiated by enthusiastic locals, was the subject of a feasibility study completed earlier this year by Wellington Shire Council with the assistance of funds from State and Federal Government.

"The community wanted to set up its own source of renewable energy, to support tourism, provide employment and do its own bit to battle the Greenhouse Effect," said Mayor Hole.

"The study shows that a solar power project appears to be viable, subject to certain provisos that will be dealt with in a business plan."

Council has appointed Energy Strategy Pty Ltd, in association with Punchline Energy Pty Ltd, to prepare a formal business plan for the proposed Briagolong solar power station.

"It’s amazing what one bright idea, backed by people power, can do. If this project goes ahead, Briagolong can look forward to becoming the premier solar power town in Victoria," said the Mayor.

"It will attract significant national and international interest, increased tourism and encourage further research into renewable energy."

The proposal is for the construction on a 40-acre site of a PV array solar power station that will meet all the power requirements of Briagolong, with excess capacity being supplied to the National Grid.

The company will be locally owned and operated with business relationships to be established with national distributors and retailers.

Energy Strategies is a long-standing national reputation in the fields of energy and environmental economics and policy and the company has since its inception been involved in national energy policy formulation.

Punchline Energy has 22 years experience in the PV industry ranging from engineering roles through to business development.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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