An international search for a partner to help develop SWERF has failed and ENE will follow through with its July 2003 decision not commit any more development funding for SWERF.

ENE has also confirmed that it would be reviewing its position on the Whytes Gully SWERF plant near Wollongong with the relevant shareholders, which has proved to be less than viable despite several years of testing.

While disappointed with the setbacks, ENE Managing Director Chris Laurie was optimistic about the future for his company.

According to Laurie, “While we are disappointed by the outcome of the partner search, we will retain the various technologies and know-how that comprise the SWERF process. These may have related application in our core energy business.”

“As has been the case for the past eighteen months, our main focus remains on the prudent and profitable expansion of our core energy business with the next near term target being the execution of the commercial documentation for the 46 mW West Kimberley Power Project in Western Australia,” added Laurie.

ENE’s hope has always been to use SWERF to revolutionise the way urban garbage was disposed off by using it as a form of renewable energy supply.