New regional Community Power Hubs announced

Seven new hubs for community owned renewable energy will be established around Victoria after recipients were announced under the next stage of our Community Power Hubs program.

Over the coming year, these organisations will work closely with their local communities to provide trusted advice on clean energy solutions and deliver local, cost-effective renewable energy projects:

• Geelong Sustainability Group – Barwon South West.
• Gippsland Climate Change Network – Gippsland.
• Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions – Grampians.
• Healesville CoRE – Greater Yarra Valley and Ranges.
• Indigo Power in partnership with Goulburn Valley Community Energy – Hume.
• Bendigo Sustainability Group – Loddon Mallee.
• Yarra Energy Foundation – metropolitan Melbourne.
  

Implementation ready projects

As part of the application process to become a Community Power Hub, organisations could also apply for funding towards projects that are ready to go. The regional Community Power Hubs were successful in securing funding for community energy projects at 16 sites and will support these sites to have solar energy systems installed by June 2022:

• Bendigo Foodshare.
• Bendigo Woolen Mills.
• Coronet Bay Community Hall.
• Geelong YMCA
  
• Gormandale Community House.
• Hazeldenes Bald Hills.
• Hazeldenes Lanecorie.
• Heyfield Wetlands Information Centre.
  
• Lucknow Football Netball Club.
• Mallacoota Waste Water Treatment Plant.
• Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct.
• Moyola Aged Care Tatura.
• Neerim South Hospital.
• Venus Bay Community Centre.
  
• Yarragon Church.
• Yea Community Shed.

These solar energy systems will deliver significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and cost savings for these facilities, as well as bolstering local support and understanding of renewable energy.

Supporting the transition to net-zero emissions

The $3.73 million Community Power Hubs program supports Victorians to act on climate change and forms part of the Victorian Government's commitment to deliver low-emission, low-cost energy services and the transition to net-zero emissions.

The program’s pilot ran from 2017- 2020 and greatly contributed to reducing Victoria’s carbon emissions, adding 1.35MW renewable energy capacity back to their communities and saving the local project sites $364,000 in annual electricity costs. It is anticipated that the Community Power Hubs program 2021 will contribute to delivering similarly positive outcomes for these communities and for all Victorians.

Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for project updates.