- Published:
- Saturday 27 February 2016
Local artists and craftspeople in Woodend will now have their work powered by renewable energy through the Woodend Community Solar Project.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio launched the project at the Macedon Ranges Sustainable Living Festival on Saturday.
The project involved the installation of a 30 kilowatt solar PV system on the Black Forest Timber Mill, which is an artisan workshop for local furniture makers, artists, timber recyclers and woodworkers.
The solar system was funded through a $100,000 renewable energy grant from the Andrews Labor Government to the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group to encourage local generation of renewable energy.
The solar system will provide an annual cash flow to the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group to support other local renewable energy projects in the Macedon Ranges.
The launch of the Woodend Community Solar Project follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between a community group in Newstead and Powercor Australia to work together to make Newstead Victoria’s first town powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
The Newstead project was made possible by a $200,000 grant from the Andrews Labor Government. Other renewable and energy efficiency initiatives include:
- Using the government’s purchasing power to source renewable energy and bring forward $200 million in investment and 100 megawatts of renewable energy generation projects
- The $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund to drive the uptake of cutting-edge technologies including battery storage and to create new jobs
- The Victorian Energy Efficiency Target scheme that supports more than 2,000 jobs across Victoria and has helped thousands of households and businesses reduce their energy bills.
- The launch of the Guide to Community-Owned Renewable Energy for Victorian Communities to empower local groups to develop clean energy projects
Quote attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
“The Sustainable Living Festival in Woodend shows that local communities want a clean energy future and that’s what we are delivering.”
Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“The Woodend Community Solar Project is a great initiative that not only powers the work of local artists with renewable energy, it will provide an income to help generate more community renewable projects in the Macedon Ranges.”