NT 'could be Saudi Arabia of biofuel'
Posted by NTNEWS.COM.AU
DANIEL BOURCHIER
January 17th, 2010


THE Territory could become the world's leading biofuel energy producer, according to a European energy company.

But an NT environmental expert said biofuel is a "half-way house" and there is a greater need to be looking towards more sustainable sources of energy.

Norwegian company ENEnergy has reportedly identified land in the Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland as sites to intensely cultivate the plant Arundo donax to produce large volumes of ethanol.

ENEnergy spokesman Hans Olav Bjorenak told the ABC each plantation would be larger than 100,000 hectares.

He said 20,000ha alone could produce enough energy to power a city the size of Canberra for a year.

"We think that the Top End of Australia effectively can become the Saudi Arabia of the renewable oil world," he said.

Mr Bjorenak says the ethanol would be exported to Europe and Asia, but the company could also sell locally.

Environment Centre co-ordinator Stuart Blanch said there were some serious concerns about the growing of Arundo donax, which is a known weed.

"The big issues are land clearing, water use, and herbicides and pesticides," he said.

"I'm talking to people in the government, and I don't think there have been any serious discussions.

"There's too high a risk in planting weeds in the Territory.

"We already have too many of them and the giant reed is like a big brother of gamba grass.

"It grows very tall, to 6m, it grows 10cm a day.

"It's very flammable during the dry season and it also likes wet feet.

"It could be the wetter cousin of gamba grass, invading rivers and floodplains."

Mr Bjorenak said pastoral permit applications are now before various governments.


News Link: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/01/17/116281_ntnews.html