20 July
2006 - The Australian Government has today awarded
funding to another six renewable energy projects,
including ethanol, biodiesel, wind and solar power
operations, under its $100 million Renewable Energy
Development Initiative (REDI) program.
Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane,
and Environment Minister, Senator Ian Campbell,
have announced the successful round two recipients
while also calling for round three applications
for the program which supports projects at the
cutting edge of renewable energy development.
The $100 million REDI program
has so far delivered grants in excess of $33 million
to 16 renewable energy Australian companies nationwide.
"The diversity in this
round's recipients bodes well for development
of future energy technologies from alternate transport
fuels through to wind farms, solar energy, geothermal
and biomass technologies. All of which will reduce
our greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Macfarlane
said.
"REDIs focus on R&D
and commercialisation of renewable technologies
fills a niche in Australian Government support
for the sector and complements other Australian
Government renewable energy and low emissions
program," Senator Campbell said.
The six projects awarded funding
are:
Australia Renewable Fuels, South Australia,
$348,100 for micro-algal feedstock biodiesel production.
CSR Sugar Pty Ltd, Queensland, $5 million to
develop its Ethanol Energy Production using its
sugar booster technology.
Geothermal Resources Limited, South Australia,
$2.4 million for its project involving the heat-generating
capacity of buried hot radiogenic granite.
New Energy Partners Pty Ltd, NSW, $258,000 for
its parabolic solar collector for medium temperature
application.Powercorp Pty Ltd, Northern Territory,
$2.34 million to develop an electricity grid stabilising
system for large wind farm interconnection.
SQC Pty Ltd, Queensland, $200,000 for production
of hydrocarbons from algae.
"The Australian Government is committed to
encouraging development of the full suite of energy
options as our future energy, and climate change,
needs will be met by a combination of traditional
and renewable energy technologies," the Ministers
said.
Further details of the REDI
program can be found at www.ausindustry.gov.au
(under AusIndustry products). Closing date for
round 3 applications is 7 September 2006.
Kirsty Boazman / Rob Broadfield
