Tas: Feds to blame for wind turbine factory closure: Aird

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2006
Tas: Feds to blame for wind turbine factory closure: Aird

The closure of a wind turbine factory in north-west Tasmania is being blamed on the
federal government.

Tasmanian Treasurer MICHAEL AIRD has accused the federal government of abandoning renewable
energy .. and he says the government's narrow minded refusal to extend the Mandatory Renewable
Energy Target is damaging the state.

Danish manufacturer Vestas announced yesterday it will close its nacelle factory in
Wynyard .. near Burnie .. 345 k's north-west of Hobart.

The 15 million dollar plant employs 65 people and manufactures blade hubs and nacelles
.. structures that house electricity generating components .. for wind turbines.

It opened only three years ago.

Mr AIRD says the government's failure to support renewable energy means Vestas has
less projects than it thought it would when it established the factory.

He says the Tasmanian government's working with the company's local management to try
to keep the factory open.

JOHN HOWARD will be in northern Tasmania today.

AAP RTV jrd/ce/crh/bart

KEYWORD: WIND TAS (HOBART)

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