The Andrews Labor Government is empowering local communities to take charge of their energy bills with major investments in community renewables and energy efficiency upgrades.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today named Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions (BREAZE) and Bendigo Sustainability Group (BSG) as the successful host organisations for pilot community power hubs in their respective regions.
Earlier this year, the Labor Government provided $900,000 for three, two-year pilot Community Power Hubs in Bendigo, Ballarat and Latrobe Valley to support the development of community-owned renewable energy projects.
The community-owned and operated pilot hubs will drive investment in the regions, create jobs and help reduce energy bills.
Ms D’Ambrosio also launched a new $3.4 million fund to help 22 regional resource-constrained councils upgrade council buildings and other community facilities by making them more energy efficient.
The program will help councils across Victoria understand, prioritise and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades on their buildings.
These projects will contribute towards delivering the Government’s renewable energy target of 40 per cent by 2025, reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and creating new jobs in new sectors.
The City of Greater Bendigo will play a role in mentoring surrounding rural eligible councils undertaking energy efficiency upgrade projects through the $3.4 million Local Government Energy Saver fund.
The Government has launched several initiatives to support community energy which are outlined in the Renewable Energy Action Plan:
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“Between now and 2020 we’ll be helping councils and communities take action that could help reduce their energy consumption between 20 to 50 per cent.”
“Retrofits could save the average council more than $10,000 each year - that’s money that can go towards providing more services for their local communities.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020