More blackouts on the Eyre Peninsula this week have renewed calls among the local community for fundamental changes to the area’s power supply.

Windesal Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Whalley said ongoing electricity problems faced by residents and businesses on the Eyre Peninsula can be solved.

“Power outages are crippling many towns on the Eyre Peninsula due to the fact they are at the end of very long radial transmission lines, which are vulnerable to lightning strikes,” he said.

“The remoteness of towns on the west coast is no doubt a contributing factor to the region’s regular power failures, so a locally generated electricity supply really needs to be considered.

“A wind-powered desalination plant could simultaneously solve the power and water needs of local communities on the Eyre Peninsula.”

Adelaide-based Windesal is developing environmentally-friendly wind desalination plants to secure the power and water needs of local communities.

Designed as ‘modules’, each plant is capable of producing between 3-5 gigalitres of fresh water a year through power generated by wind turbines. During periods when wind is insufficient to drive the turbines, they are run by a modified generator that can be powered by bio-fuels.

Depending on power and water requirements, additional turbines or desalination modules can subsequently be added to each plant as necessary to enable power to be fed into the electricity grid and/or greater water production.

“We have plans to establish wind-powered desalination plants in areas along the South Australian coast that are crippled by water and power shortages, and in doing so create a whole new green industry for the State,” said Mr Whalley.

“We’re currently liaising with the State Government and local councils to identify potential sites, particularly in regional areas such as Ceduna, Port Lincoln and Whyalla.”