ravensthorpe meeting, page-4

Hopefully there might be some Government Funds available for power supply infrastructure.........isn't that part of the Labor promise.

GZ I am sure the Tectonic proposal at this stage is for combination Wind/Diesel power generation. However, part of the economics of the Wind Power option is the potential for carbon pricing/carbon credits and we can't see that happening for a while now.

Be nice if the Federal and State Goverments would assist sorting out the problems with Raventhorpes Power supply.....

Quote off the Web

"On the 4 May 2009 the Minister for Regional Development requested Western Power and Horizon Power resolve the power quality and reliability issues affecting Ravensthorpe.

Western Power and Horizon Power have jointly developed a two-stage approach to resolving current power supply issues:

Stage 1 will involve the establishment of a temporary power station at Ravensthorpe to supply the town for up to 2 years. Stage 1 is expected to be commissioned by December 31st, 2009.
Engineering feasibility studies have commenced on a more sustainable Stage 2 solution, which could include a renewable energy component.
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) was responsible for the funding of Stage 1 at a cost of approximately $3.1 million over 2 years.

On the 17 October 2009, the Minister for Energy, Mr. Peter Collier, and the Minister for Regional Development, Mr. Brendon Grylls travelled to Ravensthorpe to announce $3.1 million in funding for the Stage 1 temporary power station"

So only a "temporary" solution....what are the longer term plans?

If Ravensthorpe really wants to grow as a mining centre surely decent power infrastructure seems essential. I don't exactly know the economics of central generation into a area grid vs local on site power generation (I guess you still need some back-up power generation) however, It would be nice if Tectonic did not have to spend its own capital of millions of dollars on power plant and ongoing fuel and maintenance costs. I guess it all depends on Phillips River being big enough and a long term mining project though and all the other projects in the district. I guess BHP already spent mega bucks on their Nickel Projects power plant though.

Might be way off here but just for discussion.