Delta Electricity moves on north coast forests for furnace

Friday, 08 October 1999 10:00

"This is the second electricity generator in NSW to propose burning forest products to generate power. It's an ill-conceived policy with dubious greenhouse benefits and it's definitely a threat to native forests," said Jeff Angel, Total Environment Centre Director.

"Greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity industry are spiralling, and burning trees is not the answer. Last year only 2.6% of energy used in NSW was from genuine sustainable energy like solar and wind - this must increase dramatically if there is to be any real reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in this state," he said.

Delta Electricity have called for tenders for cogeneration plants totalling 100 MW at Condong and Broadwater sugar mills. Fuel for the plants will be composed of sugar cane waste, forestry products and other, unspecified, 'green waste'. The plants will power the mills during crushing season, with electricity sold as 'renewable' energy in the off-season.

"Burning forest products to generate electricity is not environmentally sustainable, not genuine renewable energy, and not a serious attack on the greenhouse problem," said Mr Angel. "These practices must be outlawed and the Government and consumers should require the electricity industry to make substantial greenhouse gas reductions where it really counts - by installing green energy technology."