Wagin MLA Terry Waldron has urged the State Government to underwrite the purchase of electricity generated from future oil mallee processing plants across the WA Wheatbelt.
Wagin MLA Terry Waldron has urged the State Government to underwrite the purchase of electricity generated from future oil mallee processing plants across the WA Wheatbelt.
Wagin MLA Terry Waldron has urged the State Government to underwrite the purchase of electricity generated from future oil mallee processing plants across the WA Wheatbelt.
Mr Waldron's call follows a State Government announcement that Narrogin's integrated wood processing pilot project had achieved significant milestones and could be the forerunner to 10 such projects in rural WA.
"This is the best news oil mallee growers have had for a long time," Mr Waldron said.
"News that trials of the technology had achieved success in electricity production, as well as production of activated carbon, eucalyptus oil, justifies the efforts of hundreds of farmers who have planted hundreds of thousands of mallee trees," he said.
"The initial success of the Narrogin pilot plant may see the humble oil mallee tree take on even greater significance as a commercial tree crop in the Wheatbelt.
"There is still a long way to go to commercialise the technology but it is now imperative that the State Government encourages private sector investment by underwriting off-take agreements for this green energy.
"Without an ongoing market for the electricity generated by these plants investors may think twice about involvement in a roll-out of similar units," he said.
Mr Waldron congratulated the players involved in the Narrogin oil mallee project, including the oil mallee association, and the Federal Government and State Governments for their role in funding the project.
"A lot of people have shown great faith in this technology and it now appears it could form the basis of a large commercial operation right across the Wheatbelt," he said.
"I'll be seeking a meeting with Energy Minister Fran Logan as soon as possible to discuss the next phase and to see what we can do at the local level to make sure these green projects attract sufficient investment," he said.
"The Nationals also want to assist with finding and possible locations for a future roll-out of this renewable energy solution," he said.