November 29, 2010
Australia

Stormy exchange over wind farms

ABC News, www.abc.net.au 30 November 2010

Hydro Tasmania executives have been grilled about the performance of energy developer Roaring 40s.

The Greens and Liberals have seized on figures during a parliamentary inquiry in Hobart today showing lower than forecast wind speeds could have a long-term impact on the company’s profitability.

The company is part-owned by Hydro, and has wind farms in north-west Tasmania and South Australia.

The committee heard Roaring 40s has lost almost $40 million and is yet to make a profit.

The barrage of questions led to a fiery exchange between Liberal MP, Peter Gutwein, and Resources Minister, Bryan Green.

The chairman of Hydro Tasmania, David Crean, admits wind speeds have been “disappointing”.

The company’s chief executive, Roy Adair, says Roaring 40s is on target this year to break even.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/29/stormy-exchange-over-wind-farms/