If I recall the Howard guvmint said the kitty was empty and there'd be no more wind subsidies. I think they said they were at 2% which is a lot less than the green power figures cited in the article. At that point the local Vestas factory closed (it now makes mining machinery) and Tas Hydro sold 50% of the wind farm subsidiary to China Power and Light who are going strong in that country. So the dams are there but the adjoining wind farm is only on the drawing board.

That area is going through a mining revival for nickel, zinc, copper, tin and magnetite. A 100 unit motel style dormitory is being built for workers. I'd guess the extra electrical needs will come via Basslink and Victorian brown coal as well as shiploads of imported diesel.

In other words we continue to grow the carbon dependent economy and sell out renewables. All with the blessing of 'I'll do something about climate change' Rudd.