7 December 2004
NT Renewable Energy Projects Awarded Almost $0.5 Million Funding
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Kon Vatskalis MLA
Minister for Mines and Energy
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Northern Territory Mines and Energy Minister, Kon Vatskalis, today announced the continuation of renewable energy rebates and $488,000 funding for three renewable energy industry support projects.
With the signing of the new agreement between the Northern Territory and Federal Government, remote power users and private power providers will have access to a further $30 million over the next 6 years for renewable energy projects.
“About $11 million in rebates has been offered for 214 renewable energy projects throughout the Territory over the past three and a half years, and now Territorians who have yet to take advantage of the dollar for dollar rebate to install renewable technology can look to do so over the next 6 years,” said Mr Vatskalis.
“The rebate has helped remote households, communities and pastoral properties throughout the Territory reduce their reliance on expensive diesel fuel and move to clean renewable energy.
“These people now have access to reliable, 24 hour power with ‘flick of the switch convenience.”
Mr Vatskalis said the projects approved to date would collectively save an estimated 1.6 million litres of diesel fuel and 4,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
“With rising fuel costs and the high cost of maintaining diesel generators in remote areas, it makes sense to switch to renewable generation,” said Mr Vatskalis.
In addition to the rebates, funding is also available for projects that benefit the renewable energy industry. Three projects will receive a total of $488,000 –
- The Centre for Appropriate Technology will receive $365,000 to develop and deliver a Certificate II Electrotechnology course on maintaining and servicing renewable energy systems. The course will address the need for improved back up for renewable energy systems, particularly in remote areas.
- A Darwin company, In Motion Technologies, will receive $98,000 to demonstrate improvement in solar array output through the use of their maximum power point trackers.
- Parks Australia North will receive $25,000 to investigate the feasibility of providing solar power at three sites in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park .