Talking Point: Renewable energy questions blowing in the wind

Wind farm proposals are thick on the ground, so leaders must write contingency plans and ensure everyone benefits, says Romy Greiner

The summer bushfires demonstrated the need for renewable energy, but locals must see the benefits, including jobs.

THE dramatic bushfires on the mainland during summer demonstrated the urgent need for transitioning to a renewable energy driven economy. Due to its prevailing winds, North-West Tasmania stands to play a major role. Economic benefits are typically spruiked by proponents, but the downsides could be disastrous for our region unless elected representatives, who are the decision-makers in planning approval, step up to the mark.

Unless sensible safeguards are taken right now, the regional community stands to bear the brunt of inappropriate development. If done wrong, we stand to lose significant parts of our natural heritage, as well as associated livelihoods, jobs, investment security and wellbeing.

Circular Head Council is now considering the UPC development application for Jim’s Plain Renewable Energy Park, which will be followed, later in the year, by DAs for a wind park on Robbins Island and for a 115km long greenfield high-voltage overhead transmission line, because, unusually, UPC has achieved agreement for the transmission line to be exempted from the current DA.

The scale of the overall project is unlike anything Tasmania — or indeed Australia — has seen.

It stands to transform and industrialise our unique coastline and rural landscape. Due diligence demands that Circular Head Council safeguard due process for consideration of all phases of the project. Council should put contingencies in place, now, which minimise the risks and harm on the region and community while ensuring that promises of benefits are delivered. These in particular, should underpin any approval:

Conditional approval

Wind farms are electricity generators and cannot operate in the absence of transmission lines which link them into the electricity grid. In other words, the transmission line is an integral piece of infrastructure, not a stand-alone project.

Jim’s Plain requires a very long and large overhead transmission line, with the proposed corridor cutting through some of the best landscapes and environments Tasmania has to offer.

Conditionality of approval for Jim’s Plain ensures future assessment of the transmission line DAs is made on merit, whereas unconditional approval exposes the assessment process for the transmission line to political pressure, as approval might be deemed a matter of course to connect a pre-approved wind farm to market.

Developer bond

Wind turbines have a finite working life and are typically decommissioned after 20 to 30 years. Examples of abandoned wind turbines abound across the civilised world. The DA for Jim’s Plain Renewable Energy Park implies decommissioning is simple, but a plan is lacking as are details on dedicated funding for the end-of-life clean-up of the site.

An appropriately conceived bond as a condition for DA approval ensures funding is set aside, upfront, for the end-of-life works — in vein with the bond system which applies for the approval of mining leases and exploration licences. The bond minimises the risk of UPC or any subsequent owner abandoning the turbines, citing inability to finance the clean-up. The bond, therefore, serves to minimise the risk to the regional community of having to foot the bill for dismantling, removal and burial/recycling of physical materials, and site restoration, including removal of hazardous waste and chemical and biological rehabilitation.

Negotiated local employment and engagement targets

UPC and its supporters have been spruiking the expected social and economic benefits of the combined project. Promises of jobs and investment have been instrumental in any social licence that UPC may have obtained from sections of the local community.

Yet the DA states that the workforce will be sourced from major Tasmanian population centres and from interstate “where required”, and that a vast majority of inputs will be “imported” into the region. It is “expected” that major contractor(s) will seek to engage as many local workers as possible. Such statements do not represent a commitment to deliver enduring social and economic benefits to the local community.

A project of this magnitude should have minimum local staffing targets (including for indigenous employment) for the lifetime of the project and agreed strategies for meeting the targets. Targets must also be binding on UPC-appointed contractors and any subsequent owners. Similarly, auditable requirements for the preferential use of local suppliers and contractors should be negotiated before DA approval.

Renewable energy is coming our way, but we must embrace it with our eyes open, not just our arms widespread.

Our representatives need to ensure that the energy transition is done sensibly. Given the plethora of wind proposals on offer, there is no need to approve ill-conceived projects which could be harmful.

Renewable energy must benefit all, including the local communities who accommodate wind generators and associated infrastructure. Decision-makers must not sacrifice our unique natural heritage, along with the enduring livelihoods and prosperity it provides for.

Romy Greiner is president of Nietta Action Group.