EnviroMission Limited

Recent Media Releases

15 August 2002

Wentworth Shire Council
Media release
Date: Embargo Thursday, 15 August, 2002
FILE: S182

Solar Tower takes giant step

CONSTRUCTION of the world's tallest man-made structure, the EnviroMission ‘Solar Tower’ power station destined for Tapio Station, has taken a mammoth step forward.

Federal Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane, yesterday announced the $800 million venture had been given a status that ensures it will receive Howard Government support including assistance through any necessary approval processes.
"This is a crucial step forward," Mayor, Cr Don McKinnon, said.

"Now all we need is for the New South Wales State Government to show the same faith and vision and things will really begin to hot up," he said.

Planning authorities in NSW have begun work on an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a one-kilometre high tower but the Carr Government is yet to grant it State Significant Development status.

"Once the tower is recognised by the State Government for what it is – a project to rival the Snowy Mountains scheme – I am hopeful SSD status will be a formality," the Mayor said.

The tower will have a base the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and be about 300 metres taller than the current highest structures in the world.

Surrounding the tower will be a skirt of solar collector panels with a radius of 3.5 kilometres. These panels will gather hot air to funnel through 32 wind turbines in the tower, creating 200 megawatts of clean, green renewable electricity - enough for 200,000 homes.

This output will make it one of the largest single generators of renewable energy in the world other than hydroelectric schemes.

CEO Roger Davey is the driving force behind the project. He heads EnviroMission, the Australian company that owns the rights to the German technology in this country.

"It will put NSW and Australia on the renewable energy map," he said. "It's a huge power generator of clean, green power."
The Mayor agrees.

"This project is so important for this area first and foremost, but is also significant for Australia," he said.
EnviroMission is looking to put together a group of companies to build the project; confident construction is possible.

"I believe it's probably almost there already. If you likened it to a horse race I think we only have a couple of hurdles left to jump," Mr Davey said.

The company estimates that the project would create 2700 jobs in its construction phase and 50 jobs once built. It hopes to start early next year with power generation starting in the summer of 2005.

Ends…

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