EnviroMission Limited

Recent Media Releases

13 August 2002

MEDIA RELEASE

13 August 2002
For Immediate Release

EnviroMission wins major project facilitation status from federal industry minister

Major Project Facilitation (MPF) status has been granted by the Federal Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane, to EnviroMission’s world-first Solar Tower power station development, proposed for New South Wales.

Acknowledged by the Government for its contribution to Australia’s leadership in renewable energy development, greenhouse gas abatement potential and capital investment in Australia as some of the benefits expected from the highly innovative renewable energy technology.

"This project confirms Australia as a world leader in renewable energy production aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. The EnviroMission venture will represent the world’s first full-scale application of this new solar technology," said Mr. Macfarlane.

"MPF represents an enormous boost to the project and defines the support previously expressed by the Federal Government to EnviroMission throughout extensive project briefings.

"We see this as an important big tick to our project in what will be a world first for Australia.

"Developer of the Solar Tower technology and design engineer to the project, Schlaich Bergermann Solar of Stuttgart, Germany, has expressed high appreciation for the Federal Government’s international leadership in supporting new renewable energy developments such as our unique Solar Tower concept.

The Mandated Renewable Energy Target is a strong and positive message to domestic and international energy producers and investors alike.

"Support from governments is essential to renewable energy development and investments in more ways than one; the environment and future generations are the real winners when governments support renewable energy development," said EnviroMission’s Chief Executive, Roger Davey.

Development is progressing through advanced commercial negotiations with suppliers, construction and power industry operatives building towards an extensive planning approvals process.

"Whilst our development is sure to attract wide interest throughout the planning process, EnviroMission does not envisage any show stoppers," Mr. Davey said.

Solar Tower technology represents the largest non-hydro embedded renewable energy generation opportunity ever presented in Australia. It will generate enough clean power for around 200,000 households, and industry surveys indicate Australian households are demanding cleaner power options from their retailers.

Based on energy to be generated from turbines driven by large volumes of solar heated air, the Solar Tower concept will use simple proven principals of physics to achieve reliable and much needed renewable energy, with close to 7% of the MRET from a single power station.

Providing a tangible and active response from government, MPF identifies the national significance of the project to the broader community. It provides recognition of the long term benefits likely to flow from the project to Australia and offers project proponents:

Confirmation from the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources that MPF has been granted;
A contact point in the Commonwealth Government;
Tailored facilitation services to address the nature and complexity of the project and familiarity with the Australian business environment. Services may include access to capable and competitive Australian suppliers, obtaining decisions on necessary Government approvals as administered under Commonwealth legislation, referrals, guidance and contacts with relevant Commonwealth Government agencies for various assistance programs;
Facilitation of relationships between proponents, key Commonwealth, State and Territory government agencies involved in the approvals processes including liaison between the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, the Prime Minster of Australia, the Prime Minster’s Strategic Investment Coordinator and relevant ministerial colleagues;
The ability to respond to specific impediments or policy issues to the relevant policy process or during the project’s development, and forwarding the issues to the relevant policy areas within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and the Commonwealth Government more broadly; and
Streamlined access to the Strategic Investment Coordinator to discuss the progress of key investment projects under certain situations.

Media Enquiries:
Ms. Kim Forte
Communications Manager
EnviroMission Limited
+61 3 8823 5305
0414 69 03 56

<Back