30 August
2006 - Australian Ministers for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, and Industry,
Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane MP, welcomed
today’s announcement by the Prime Minister that
north Adelaide would host Australia’s first Solar
City.
"The Prime Minister’s announcement
marks an exciting time for the Solar Cities concept
– the vision is now being realised," Senator
Campbell said.
"Everyone will benefit
from Solar Cities. Householders will find it easier
to make clean energy choices and save electricity,
electricity utilities will be able to better manage
their peak demand periods, industry will be able
to test new technologies and products in a low-risk
environment, and governments will receive valuable
information for future energy and climate change
policies.
"I look forward to the
unveiling of Australia’s next Solar Cities and
the opportunities it will provide for both consumers
and industry in the successful locations,"
he said.
Selected from a highly competitive
process, the Adelaide Solar City consortium will
receive $15 million to create Australia’s first
Solar City, which is expected to save $5 million
of energy and at least 30,000 tonnes of greenhouse
gas emissions per year.
"The north Adelaide Solar
City will see 17,000 solar panels installed on
homes and commercial buildings, 7,000 smart meters
installed in homes and businesses, and 40,000
energy efficiency and information packages distributed
to consumers," Mr Macfarlane said.
"It’s a significant and
exciting undertaking. By employing solar technologies
in place of grid-drawn electricity and introducing
simple ways for people to save energy, Australia’s
first Solar City will help deliver electricity
at the right price, when and where it is needed.
"I congratulate the South
Australian community for embracing the Solar Cities
concept and look forward to seeing its practical
benefits unfold," he said.
Solar Cities is part of the
Australian Government’s $2 billion climate change
strategy that aims to develop clean, low emission
technologies; build an effective global response
to the issue; increase understanding of climate
change science; and help communities adapt to
the impacts of climate change.
For more information about Solar Cities visit
www.greenhouse.gov.au/solarcities
