NSW Councils Collaborating On Clean Power

Shoalhaven, Kiama and Shellharbour councils have struck a deal that will provide renewables-generated electricity offsets starting next year.

Through an arrangement with Flow Power, the organisations will initially purchase electricity generated by Sapphire Wind Farm near Glenn Innes, and Bomen and Cootamundra Solar Farms from January 1, 2023 for 8 years. The electricity will cover the requirements of large facilities such as water treatment plants and administration buildings, and street lightning.

“This is an important step forward for Kiama Council, our residents and ratepayers, in realising a sustainable future for our community,” said Kiama Council Mayor Neil Reilly.

The Flow Power deal will go a long way towards helping each council reach corporate emissions targets, which are:

• Kiama Council has set itself a target of net zero by 2031
• Shoalhaven Council has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050
• Shellharbour Council is shooting for net zero emissions for Council operations by 2035 ( and net zero community emissions by 2050).

Furthermore, the agreement will underpin development of at least two renewable energy projects on unused council land in the region.

“The construction of two new regional solar farms with Flow Power will also provide local employment and educational opportunities for the community”, said Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley.

PV Popular Across The LGAs

As well as the solar power involved with this agreement, all three councils have on-site renewables generation in the form of solar panels – and there’s been significant community uptake of solar power systems.  The Australian Photovoltaic Institute (APVI) notes the following estimations of solar capacity and saturation as at the end of September this year for each LGA.

Shellharbour

• Estimated dwellings: 27,990
• Installations: 9,121 (approx. 29.9% of dwellings)
• Estimated installed capacity: 53,471 kW
• Under 10kW: 39,691 kW (installations under 10kW: 8,380)
• 10-100kW: 11,933 kW (installations: 738)
• Over 100kW: 1,847 kW (installations: 3)

Kiama

• Estimated dwellings: 9,283
• Installations: 3,319 (approx. 32.8% of dwellings)
• Est. installed capacity: 18,569 kW
• Under 10kW: 13,914 kW (installations under 10kW: 3,045)
• 10-100kW: 4,486 kW (installations: 273)
• Over 100kW: 169 kW (installations: 1)

Shoalhaven

• Estimated dwellings: 56,629
• Installations: 17,790 (approx. 28.8% of dwellings)
• Estimated installed capacity: 103,770 kW
• Under 10kW: 73,846 kW (installations under 10kW: 16,307)
• 10-100kW: 24,772 kW (installations: 1478)
• Over 100kW: 5,152 kW (installations: 5)

The “dwellings” figures in each instance refers to freestanding and semi-detached dwellings.

Other Councils Collaborating On Renewables

Councils banding together to get cleaner power and a better deal on electricity isn’t new. For example, across the border in Victoria, the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) negotiated for supply of electricity from a couple of wind farms in the state. Under that deal, 51 Victorian Councils have pooled their electricity purchasing power into one long-term contract with Red Energy.

Seeing so many local governments going well beyond the 3Rs (roads, rates and rubbish) in their embracing of renewables is really encouraging. It’s winners all round – councils save cash on energy that can be diverted to other services, residents benefit from those services and the planet benefits from the emissions reduction.