The Augusta Margaret River Shire community has stated its support in establishing a hybrid wind farm in the wine and tourism region according to ABC News.
According to Jared Drummond, Shire sustainability officer, the creation of a renewable energy facility was the primary initiative following community workshop that was held last year. He said that the concept was at a very early stage but he believes that wind and solar are the main players that are being considered in the hybrid project even though, wind farms have drawn some criticism in other parts of the Australia due to the vibration and noise of gigantic wind turbines.
With the said wind issues, Drummond said that the location of the facility would be one of the most important factors in the early stages of the decision making. The renewable energy facility would be away from both housing and forested areas and preferably east of the Busselton Highway. And last, the noise and visual impacts would be carefully considered in deciding a site. In 2010, Augusta Margaret Shire developed a local energy action plan which was adopted in 2014 and one of the key recommendations was to encourage the communities to source 20% of energy form renewable sources by the year 2020.
One funding source is the Australia renewable Energy Network Association. And if the project comes to reality, it would also provide jobs in the early site works stages and then, on the ongoing maintenance.
Click here to read the full story on ABC News
Solar Trust Centre Team
