Appointment of directors to CASE board

16/9/94

Western Australia's role in the solar energy industry has grown with the appointment of directors to the board of the Perth International Centre for Application of Solar Energy (CASE).

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said today that CASE was taking another step forward in helping to provide energy solutions for developing countries.

CASE is a State and Federal Government-funded centre backed by UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

"The centre's head office will be located next to Murdoch University Energy Research Institute," Mr Cowan said.

"The role of the centre is to identify potential energy needs, particularly in South-East Asia. It will also assist communities by developing project proposals, arranging finance and providing project management."

The appointees to the centre's board are:

·       Dr Peter Hopwood, principal of HBH Engineering Consultants, chairperson;

·       Professor Peter Boyce, Vice-Chancellor of Murdoch University;

·       Peter Booth, sessional lecturer in Asian Business Studies at Edith Cowan University;

·       Bruce Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Commerce and Trade;

·       John Hall, treasurer of the Renewable Energy Industry Association and Managing Director of Solar Sales Pty Ltd.

The Federal Government is yet to name its two nominees and the eighth person will be the managing director, who will be appointed by the board.

"While Australia is highly developed in terms of living standards, there are difficulties in providing reliable power to remote areas," Mr Cowan said.

"As a result, solar energy technologies have achieved relatively high levels of market penetration.

"Australia is widely accepted as one of the world leaders in the research, development and manufacture of solar energy technologies.

"CASE will be helping remote communities in developing countries to install and maintain power systems to provide them with lighting, refrigeration and communication.

"The centre is concerned with commercialisation and application of solar energy.  It will provide an independent service to developing countries.

"The ability to assist under-developed countries by providing reliable power sources clearly highlights WA's innovation and ingenuity in the area of renewable energy."

Media contact:  Peter Jackson 222 9595