Renewable Energy Handbook 2010 - Department of Finance - The ...

State and Australian Government departments andagencies can also be approached to enquire aboutcurrent funding assistance that may be availablefor the project and guidelines.Once all the economic data has been collected,a fi nancial model should be created and a seriesof scenarios envisaged at ensuring an economicallyfeasible project. This is an iterative process andvarious stakeholders may have to be consultedfurther to assist in the analysis.The feasibility study should also typically include afuture development strategy that outlines recommendedactions to progress the project through to operation,including a timetable for implementation.3.1.4 PROJECT DESIGNFinalisation of Agreements andObtaining Project ApprovalsA key component for any renewable energy projectis the identifi cation and contracting of a customerfor energy and other products. This stage allows forthe formalisation of the preliminary negotiations fora Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).Securing investment and funding from fi nanciers iscrucial at this stage of development. If any additionalfi nancial support is available from government,this should also be secured at this point. Heritage,environmental and planning approvals from relevantgovernment agencies or authorities, such asWestern Australian Planning Commission (WAPC),Department of Environment (DoE), Department ofIndigenous Affairs (DIA) and local government,will also need to be secured at this stage. Approvalsare discussed in greater detail in sections 3.2 to 3.9.Project Definition DocumentThe Project Defi nition Document formally establishesthe parameters that guide the detailed design anddevelopment of the project. It typically includes:Technical information such as the type and size of·the generating units, how and where the energywill be used on site, how and where the electricityis transferred to the grid and process flow diagrams;Details of the formalised Power Purchase Agreement·with an energy retailer or wholesale purchaser;Environmental and planning approvals; and·Investment details including any funding from·fi nanciers if required and support fromgovernment agencies if available.OFFICE OF ENERGYRENEWABLE ENERGY HANDBOOK 20103.1.5 IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATIONIf the Project Defi nition Document is signed offand a decision is made to proceed with the project,formal contractual documentation can then beinitiated and fi nalised. Once all the required contractshave been signed, the detailed design, construction andcommissioning of the power station can commence.3.2 Heritage Approval3.2.1 INTRODUCTIONThe development of a renewable energy proposalmay impact on areas of importance and signifi canceto Aboriginal people. Anyone planning to develop landin a way that might disturb an Aboriginal site shouldbe aware of his or her legal obligations under Stateand Commonwealth legislation. The law requires thata reasonable effort must be made to fi nd out if anyAboriginal heritage sites exist in the development area.Identifying this issue during early project planningwill help to avoid potentially time-consuming andcostly delays later.A diverse range of sites can constitute a heritage site,but essentially sites fall into two broad categories:Archaeological: places of material cultural remains·(engravings, artefact scatters); andAnthropological: places of spiritual signifi cance·to Aboriginal people (eg. mythological andceremonial grounds).3.2.2 STATE PROCESSESAreas and objects of Aboriginal signifi cance areprotected under the State’s Aboriginal Heritage Act1972 (AHA). Prior to the proposed development/activity, it is recommended that suitably qualifi edconsultants be engaged to conduct ethnographicand archaeological surveys of the area to ensurethat no site is damaged or altered that would resultin a breach of Section 17 of the AHA. These surveyswould involve archival research via a search of theRegister of Aboriginal Sites’ database maintained bythe DIA, a review of relevant survey reports as wellas consultations and on-the-ground inspections.31DEVELOPING A RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA