시속 200㎞의 바람으로 인해 현재 휴면기인 시드니 소재의 카넬(Kurnell) 담수화 플랜트의 상층부(roof)가 손상되었다. 비판자들은 플랜트를 완전히 폐쇄해야 한다고 말했으나, 뉴사우스웨일스(New South Wales)주의 물 관련 장관인 Niall Blair는 플랜트의 포기는 국가의 계약의무를 깨는 것이라고 말했다.

 

해당 플랜트는 시험 단계에서 외부의 물을 생산하지 않았기 때문에 오랜 논쟁을 불러일으켰으며, 대기 시설의 유지를 위해 시드니의 물사용 비용으로 연간 1억9천500만 달러가 소요됨에 따라 2012년 이후로 작동을 중지했다.

 

 

 

Winds topping 200km/h have ripped roofs off Sydney's dormant Kurnell desalination plant. Critics of the plant have called for it to be closed completely but New South Wales' water minister, Niall Blair, said abandonment would break the state's contract obligations.

 

The plant has generated long-standing controversy because it has never produced water outside its testing phase. And it has cost Sydney's water users some US$ 195 million a year to keep the facility on standby since it was switched off in 2012.

 

Green MP John Kaye said: "One option that should be on the table is to stop throwing good money after bad and consider shutting the white elephant down once and for all." Blair said: "The NSW government cannot simply tear up legally binding contracts; that would leave the state open to a potentially massive compensation claim."

 

The plant chief executive, Keith Davies said there had been "significant" damage to several roofs and a control room. where there had been water and wind damage after its windows were blown out.

 

Davies said it was too early to assess the cost of the damage but he said he was the plant's insurance cover "will respond to the damage."

The NSW government leased the plant to a private investment company for $2.3 billion for 50 years in 2012.

 

The desalination plant would not be turned on unless Sydney's dam levels dropped below 70%. They are currently at 94%. 

 

[출처 = Desalination & Water Reuse / 2015년 12월 21일]