EnviroMission Limited

Recent Media Releases

21 March 2002

Wentworth Shire Council
Media release
Date: Thursday, 21 March, 2002

Shire keen for slice of solar action

WENTWORTH Shire will actively lobby to host the giant EnviroMission Solar Tower power station in the municipality.

The Mayor, Cr Don McKinnon, said if the proposed Ned’s Corner site were found not to be suitable for any reason Wentworth Shire would welcome exploration of its 26,500 square kilometres for an alternative.

"I believe we have several areas which could fit the bill," he said.

"This project is too important to let go elsewhere. We do not want to pinch the project from Victoria, but ensure it stays in the greater Sunraysia area.

"It will be a great boon for the whole area, regardless of where it is situated."
The world-first tower, which has received wide publicity, will be one kilometre high and 130 metres in diameter, surrounded by a huge ‘greenhouse’.

After extensive exploration Australia-wide for suitable sites, the Ned’s Corner area was selected because it is very flat nature (for the collector) and close to the State power grid.

"If the Ned’s Corner site proves unsuitable, securing the project for our municipality will be a great coup," the Mayor said, "although the Wentworth Shire would like to correct any impression that may have been conveyed about environmental doubts surrounding the project as none have formally be raised and a planning approval process has not yet begun."

The Mayor’s enthusiasm was sparked by a report to Council’s latest monthly meeting (Wednesday, March 20) from Director Operations, Peter Turner.
Mr Turner recently attended a special Mildura briefing about the project, hosted by Mildura Rural City Council and the developers, EnviroMission.

In his report, Mr Turner explained the construction would include a large ‘greenhouse’ structure, spreading out from the base of the tower to concentrate heat collected from the sun.

"The greenhouse would be about 5km in diameter, constructed from either glass panels or high-grade transparent plastic material. This glasshouse-type roof would concentrate the heat from the sun and the ground below the collector, in turn creating an upward wind draft from the outside perimeter of the collector into the central tower," he said.

"This draft then turns wind-driven electricity generating turbines located in the tower base."

The proposed plant will generate 200 megawatts, claimed to be sufficient to provide enough electricity to power Mildura one and a half times.

The construction phase will provide employment for about 2000 people and is expected to begin late in 2003.

Completion is scheduled for 2005.

The estimated cost is $670million.

The company intends to develop five Solar Tower sites in Australia by 2010.

The Shire intends to actively pursue being a part of this ‘green’, sustainable power revolution, the Mayor said.

Ends...

<Back