Entsch wants network service within nine months
POWER IN THE DAINTREE
THE Daintree Forest could emerge as a world leader on how a power network can be installed in a relatively dense area, according to Warren Entsch, the Federal member for Leichhardt.
As progress continues to provide power to residents and businesses north of the Daintree River, Entsch said there are many positives and if everything falls into place, this could be a perfect case study in years ahead.
“But we need to move quickly and get past the meeting stages. We need action and I would like to see this complete and the connection of a power service in the Daintree within nine months,” said Entsch.
“As I see it, this is a matter of urgency. We have the support of Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg, who has discussed the issue with Dr Anthony Lynham, the Queensland Government’s Minister for State Development, Natural Resources and Mines, and I would like ARENA to stay involved.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funds innovation and shares knowledge, accelerating Australia's shift to a renewable energy future. Its purpose is to accelerate Australia’s shift to an affordable and reliable renewable energy future.
Entsch said he was hoping that he would receive an update from the relevant ministers within a few weeks.
At a recent forum held in March in the Daintree – which Entsch attended – Sunverge Energy Australia presented a paper titled Powering Daintree which listed five options for complete power supply – network plus generation or standalone generation – to the Daintree community.
And at the meeting, it was generally agreed the first option was preferred – single Daintree electrical micro grid with synchronous machines and a staged pathway for high renewable uptake.
The other options were:
- Multiple Daintree electrical micro grids (three segments)
- Daintree gas micro grid with high renewable uptake using power to gas and biomethane
- Micro grid supply to Cape Tribulation (leverage of existing generation to extend in small LV networks)
- Upgrade of individual remote area power supply options.
“Knowing that the first option is favoured, our next issue is costing and the network is in the $30m ballpark; followed by constructing the grid and then connecting the power service.
“I am hoping that all the relevant parties come to the table and the funds are made available and we can move ahead.
“We need to move quickly and make this happen,” stressed Entsch.
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