RSS Feed

Creation Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 GMT

New water desalination plants could stop drought

New drought-breaking water plants could revolutionise water supply in Australia, say two companies that are proposing wind-powered desalination plants.

Siemens and Windseal have announced a memorandum of understanding with the South Australian government for a proposed plant at Port Pirie in the Spencer Gulf.

The $1 billion project has a lot of hurdles to clear before it could become operational but that could be as soon as six to 12 months, they told reporters in Adelaide today.

Managing director of Siemens Australia, Albert Goller, said the technology could be used anywhere on Australia's seaboard, and pipes could transport the water to inland communities.

He even said the water could be exported to Indonesia.

"[We will] fully integrate wind power, diesel and desalinated water into one remotely-based water purifying solution for regional areas," Mr Goller told reporters.

"We could export this technology to the rest of the world."

Taxpayers will not be hit with costs but the local MP Geoff Brock could not say if local communities would face extra water costs.

They plan to start in South Australia because the state is struggling for water after the northern states take their cut.

'Sydney Morning Herald', May 20 2010