March 22, 2011
Australia

Carbon tax news hits wind farm

BY ELENA GUARRACINO, Cooma-Monaro Express, www.coomaexpress.com.au 22 March 2011

Claims that the ‘Boco Rock Wind Farm” at Nimmitabel has been put on hold due to uncertainty created by the proposed carbon tax have been denied by the developer Wind Prospect CWP. Wind Prospect’s head of development Ed Mounsey said reports that the Federal Government’s proposed carbon tax is having an effect on the company’s investment decisions for ‘Boco Rock Wind Farm’ are unfounded.

“Our commitment to the project is ongoing, and the current policy discussion on a carbon tax is not having a direct impact on our decisions about ‘Boco Rock Wind Farm’ which will be going ahead regardless,” Mr Mounsey said.

However, in a statement released by the Nimmitabel Advancement Group (NAG), the President David Wicks said that following recent announcements from Federal Member, Dr Mike Kelly, and discussions with the developer regarding the “Boco Rock” Wind Farm open forum, which was to be held on the April 11 in Nimmitabel, would be postponed.

“The Head of Development for Wind Prospect CWP, Ed Mounsey, has suggested that the Federal Government’s proposed carbon tax is having an effect on investment decisions and whilst their commitment to the project is ongoing, the current policy mix for the renewable industry is not providing certainty for investors.

“Following on from our discussions with the various stakeholders, NAG is still intending to host the open forum, but at a more suitable date in the future,” Mr Wicks said.

Mr Mounsey said that Wind Prospect CWP was in the process of bringing the project to construction and no contracts had been let out yet. “The timeline hasn’t been decided yet so the open forum meeting is a little ahead of time,” Mr Mounsey said.

“We made our own decision to go ahead with this project based on the pre-election promise that there wouldn’t be a carbon tax, but we will be going ahead regardless.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/03/22/carbon-tax-news-hits-wind-farm/