Category: Archive

easures to provide more low-carbon energy in the British Government’s energy review included looking at how to produce energy locally rather than at centralised power plants, reported The Independent Online Edition on Wednesday, 12 July.

Micro-generation techniques to be encouraged: The report said another recommendation was to encourage micro-generation techniques such as household wind turbines or solar panels.

Increase in renewables obligations: Others were:

• an increase in the renewables obligation, forcing energy suppliers to buy more electricity from renewable sources;

• extra incentives for emerging technologies such as tidal power; and

• more work on the technique known as carbon capture and storage, which removed carbon dioxide (C02) from power station emissions and buries it underground.

But fossil fuels are not being ignored: The report said that even while striving for a low-carbon future, the Government was also looking to secure future supplies of Britain’s own fossil fuels.

Coal forum being convened: The Government was convening a coal forum to examine the long-term future of United Kingdom coal production and coal-fired power. It was also taking a new look at how to make the most of remaining supplies of North Sea oil – and the more difficult-to-access oil reserves west of Shetland on the so-called Atlantic Frontier.

Reference: Digest of latest news reported on website of Climate Change Secretariat of United Nations Framework on Climate Change Control (UNFCCC). 12 July. Address: PO Box 260 124, D-53153 Bonn. Germany. Phone: : (49-228) 815-1005, Fax: (49-228) 815-1999. Email: press@unfccc.int
http://www.unfccc.int

Erisk Net, 13/7/2006

Origin Energy’s proposed natural gas-fired power station near Mortlake in southwest Victoria has been formally endorsed by the Victorian Government, the company has announced.

Two year process: State Minister for Energy Industries and Resources, Theo Theophanous, released his favourable assessment of the project after considering the Environment Effects Statement, public and Government submissions, and the advice of the independent panel of experts appointed to review the project. The Minister’s assessment is the culmination of more than two years of project development and community consultation.

More approval work to do: The assessment is a precursor to receiving a final approval for the project in the form of a works approval from the Environmental Protection Authority, a planning scheme amendment from the Minister for Planning and a pipeline permit from the Minister for Energy, Industries and Resources. Securing Government support is an essential step in the project’s evolution, Origin said.

Then it’s up to the board: Once final Government approval was received the next important milestone would be a decision by the Origin board on whether to proceed to construction of the power station and associated pipeline.

Market conditions will be a key factor: That decision is expected later this year and will be dependent on other factors such as supply and demand for electricity.

Reference: Origin Energy, 12 July 2006. For further information, please contact: Wayne Gregory, National Manager, Public Affairs, Ph: 03 9652 5886, Mobile: 0419 587 375.

Erisk Net, 13/7/2006