Eighteen councils have signed a landmark agreement that will see 20 percent of councils’ retail electricity from renewable sources from 1 July 2019.
Procuring 20 percent renewables allows councils to fix their costs until 2030 and reduces reliance on standard grid power.
Willoughby City Council estimates the electricity supply agreement will mean it will save over 1800 tonnes of CO2-e every year and about $37,000 over three years in reduced electricity costs.
This innovative approach, achieved through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), allows councils to purchase renewable electricity without exposure to the volatility of the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Willoughby City Council will access renewable energy from the Moree Solar Farm project until 2030, with the balance of council’s retail electricity needs from Origin Energy’s grid electricity.
Around 440,000 MWh of renewable energy will be supplied to the 18 councils over a 12 year agreement.
Willoughby Mayor, Gail Giles-Gidney, said, “Council is proud to have joined forces with 17 other NSW councils to reduce our emissions and costs.
“It will support the renewable energy industry in NSW, with the savings re-invested back into our community.”
“Council is committed to sustainability and investing in ways to reduce our environmental impact.
“Our residents are telling us they want Council to be leaders in creating a greener community.
“One of the goals outlined in the community strategic plan, which was created from 6000 pieces of community feedback was a green and livable city.
“This new approach to energy brings that a step closer.”
The 18 Councils in this joint renewable energy and retail electricity contract are Bayside, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Georges River, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-Ring-Gai, Liverpool, North Sydney, Parramatta, Randwick, Ryde, Singleton, Sutherland Shire, Waverley, Willoughby and Woollahra.
Lane Cove and Mosman Council participated in the retail electricity component of the process only.
