Independent candidate for Dubbo Colin Hamilton said he did not support the privatisation of the electricity network but if elected he would do more to facilitate a move to renewable energy.
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Mr Hamilton went to the Narromine property Cowal Park last week, where he talked to farmer Ian Corderoy, who has just installed a 100-kilowatt solar system.
Mr Corderoy, who farms with his brother Tony and father Malcolm, supplies corn to Simplot but said his electricity costs had tripled in the past four years while his revenue from corn had been cut by one-third.
In addition to his own rising costs, Mr Corderoy said there was also pressure from those who were buying his products.
"Our pumping costs went from $36 per megalitre to $100 per megalitre, just in electricity, and the higher power costs also meant that Woolworths and Coles passed this burden onto Simplot, who in turn passed this, plus their own increased costs, on to us," the farmer said.
"It was a double whammy."
It forced him to look at cheaper sources of energy.
Mr Corderoy said he expected his new system to dramatically cut his operational costs and help keep his business viable.
"I was very pleased when the new system was turned on for the first time on Thursday to see the pump going and the power meter not ticking over," Mr Corderoy said.
"The pump only draws 75 per cent of the power produced, which will leave a bit up our sleeve for cloudy weather. The spare 25 per cent will also be used to charge a battery storage cell yet to be installed, which will be used during the nights to further offset our energy bills."
Mr Corderoy said he was against the privatisation of the electricity network because he believed it would drive up the cost of electricity even more.
"It would be great to clear the red tape and restrictions which currently hinder the "excess" power the Corderoys generate being taken up by other sections of the community" he said.
"There are age pensioners who can hardly afford a decent meal, let alone pay their power bill, which should be able to benefit from community energy systems which the Corderoys could supply to. That's something I would be working hard to achieve."