Today Beyond Zero Emissions launched its scoping document discussing the measures for Victoria's swift conversion to a near zero emissions electricity sector.

The document is the first of a portfolio of papers charting the fast transition of all sectors of the Australian economy to near zero emissions by 2020.

Beyond Zero Emissions' approach is to articulate how a transition is to be managed within Victoria and how to keep reliability of the electricity supply.

"In the plan, base load power is delivered by wind, fully backed up by existing gas and hydro, as well as a small amount of new gas," said Mr Wright.

"Of course, areas of demand are reduced or moderated to keep the overall economic impact of the transition to a minimum."

Part of the proposal describes an upgrade of the grid to a modern computer-controlled system that identifies, then responds to, the demand and supply of every consumer and generator on the grid. The estimated cost of a comprehensive transition to a zero emissions economy is 20 billion dollars.

"The danger is that we will waste billions of dollars trying to get somewhere with unproven technology, such as geosequestration with coal power and 4th generation nuclear power. Subsequently we would miss the opportunity to move in the time required to avoid dangerous run-away climate change," said BZE lead campaigner Adrian Whitehead.

"What is most exciting about this document is that its use of wind power is being backed up by so many other ground-breaking projects being announced around the world," Wright remarks. "These projects are arriving to effectively overhaul energy production through serious penetration of wind into electricity grids."

"Wind power is the only renewable generation technology that is ready right now on a massive scale and can be purchased commercially in the quantity required to convert Australia's economy before it's too late," said Mr Wright.

View the near zero emissions stationary energy sector transition scoping document here.

British Columbia, Canada 3000 MW wind farm (4 for Vic of this size to go near zero emissions)

British Columbia, Canada 1750 MW wind farm

California, USA 2500 MW wind farm (5 for Vic of this size to go near zero emissions)

Thames Estuary, UK 1300 MW wind farm (9 for Vic of this size to go near zero emissions)

Texas, USA 783 MW wind farm (15 for Vic of this size to go near zero emissions)

Lewis winds approved 651 MW wind farm.

Shetland Islands, UK 600 MW wind farm (20 for Vic of this size to go near zero emissions)

Macarthur, Vic, Australia 550 MW wind farm (22 for Vic of this size to go near zero emissions)

Offshore windfarm, Texas, USA 500 MW (24 for Vic of this size to go near zero emissions)

For comment ring:
Adrian Whitehead - 0403 735 118
Matthew Wright ­ 0421 616 733

www.beyondzeroemissions.org

Beyond Zero Emissions is an independent Zero Emission Minus Climate Change campaign.