April 12, 2011
Australia

Roaring 40s ownership query

Sue Neales, The Mercury, www.themercury.com.au 12 April 2011Sue Neales, The Mercury, www.themercury.com.au 12 April 2011

The Liberal Opposition has demanded to know if the State Government has already sold wind farming company Roaring 40s.

Liberal energy spokesman Matthew Groom told Parliament this morning that Hydro Tasmania appeared poised to enter into a new agreement to develop wind and solar energy resources in Tasmania with another Chinese company, as recently announced to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Mr Groom, who worked for Roaring 40s before entering Parliament last year, asked Energy Minister Bryan Green if this meant the Government had already sold its remaining half share in Roaring 40s to its other joint owner, the Chinese Government.

Mr Green declined to answer, saying he would leave it up to Hydro Tasmania to make any announcements about Roaring 40s’ future.

“I understand exactly what is going on with relation to Hydro Tasmania’s joint venture opportunities and partnerships,” Mr Green said.

“But my discussions with Hydro Tasmania have been on commercial lines; I can’t divulge [the details].”

Mr Groom said this response was unsatisfactory, since Mr Green was the minister responsible for the shareholder interests of Tasmanian taxpayers in Roaring 40s.

He also asked what the impact of any sale of Roaring 40s would be on the long-awaited development of the $400 million Musselroe Bay wind farm in North-East Tasmania.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/12/roaring-40s-ownership-query/