Chief of Navy - Energy Diversity

I am writing to correct some misleading reporting in recent days by Andrew Bolt regarding the provision of energy through the Carnegie wave generator programme at HMAS STIRLING in Western Australia.

The Navy, along with the other elements of the ADF are committed stewards of our environment, both at sea and ashore. Navy's track record in this regard is a proud one.

Defence has not expended any money for this project, all it has done is allocated an unused piece of land to be leased by Carnegie for the demonstration project.

Energy diversity is an important issue for Navy as we go forward, the Carnegie wave generator project offers the potential to diversify HMAS STIRLING's energy sources. Defence will not be paying any more than the current commercial rate for electricity for the power produced by the Carnegie system, in fact Defence will be paying a slightly discounted rate for power.

Yesterday off Hawaii, an RAN helicopter flew for the first time with a fuel mix including aviation biofuel made as part of the US Navy's Green Fleet initiative. This is another tangible demonstration of Navy's forward outlook on alternative fuels and different ways to diversify sources of energy.

VADM Ray Griggs, AO, CSC , RAN
Chief of Navy