Public Meeting: 5pm Monday 15th August
Central Australia Development Office – Todd Mall
RePower Alice Springs is facilitating broader community discussion on pathways to achieving a solar energy transition for the town by hosting a public meeting - ‘A Solar Vision For Alice Springs’ at 6pm Monday 15th August at the Central Australia Development Office.
The RePower Alice Springs community group formed earlier in the year in response to the announcement that the NT Government was spending $75M to install ten new gas fired engines at the Owen Springs Power Station without considering any investment into renewable energy.
The group has since re-ignited community calls for a renewable energy future for Alice Springs and is advocating for the development of a solar transition plan which commits to 100% renewable energy supply by 2030 (acknowledging the need for gas fired energy in the transition and as a back up).
RePower Alice Springs has engaged a number of solar experts and advocates to give presentations at the public meeting and be involved in a Q&A style panel which will encourage maximum community discussion on possible pathways forward to a solar powered future.
Guest Presenters include:
Claire O’Rourke, National Director of Solar Citizens. Solar Citizens have produced the Home Grown Energy Plan, which shows Australia could repower all homes and businesses with 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.
Daniel Spencer, RePower Port Augusta. Dan Spencer is the Repower Port Augusta campaigner with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. Dan has worked alongside the Port Augusta community since 2012 advocating for Australia's first large solar thermal plant to be built there as the city transitions beyond coal.
David Battic, General Manager Alice Springs Airport. David Batic has worked in the defence and civil aviation industry for more than 30 years and will be sharing the Alice Springs Airport vision to go 100% solar.
Lyndon Frearson, Managing Director CAT Projects. Since 2007 Lyndon has overseen CAT Projects development as a leading engineering consultancy providing technical services and advice in power systems engineering and remote area project management to clients throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific.
“Alice Springs has over 300 sunny days every year and some of the highest solar potential in the world,” said Glen Marshall, spokesperson for RePower Alice Springs. ““Communities, even whole countries, across the world are transitioning to renewable energy. Alice Springs is one of the sunniest places on the planet. It just makes sense to take full advantage of our solar potential.”
“In 2006 Alice Springs had 2 rooftop PV systems. By 2013 when Alice Solar City ended, there were 700. Now there are 1,100, clearly demonstrating residents and businesses in our town are committed to solar power,” said Glen Marshall.
“RePower Alice Springs will be working with all stakeholders to develop a solar future for our town. This public meeting is about sharing information, drawing inspiration from other communities who are transitioning to renewable energy and working out what are the next steps involved in developing a solar transition plan for Alice Springs.”
“Gas and fossil fuels are not the future and RePower Alice Springs will be strongly advocating for the quickest, most efficient and cost effective pathway towards a renewable energy future.”
For more information: [email protected]