Australian renewable energy company Pamada has started construction of an integrated solar, wind and hydro project at in New South Wales despite uncertainty over the federal government’s clean energy policies.
The A$190 million (US$148 million) Kyoto Energy Park in Scone will generate as much as 113 megawatts of electricity when it is completed. It will also reduce water and 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions. The park will have as much as 102MW of capacity from two wind energy farms, up to 10MW from a solar PV station, and a 1-MW mini-hydro project.
The project received state government approval in 2010. Pamada said earthworks have started at the site.
Australia has a 20% by 2020 renewable energy target, but Prime Minister Tony Abbot wants this reduced. Lawmakers are still deadlocked over the RET.