Wollongong Switching To Solar To Power Streetlights

From January 1 next year, Wollongong City Council’s 18,000+ streetlights will be running on solar energy via a power purchase agreement (PPA).

The PPA contract signed last week by Council and Red Energy will also see 17 of the local government’s largest facilities operating on 100% renewable electricity as a starting point. The deal will initially result in 85% of Council’s electricity consumption offset with renewable electricity at a fixed, competitive price (that wasn’t revealed) for the next decade. More sites will join as necessary meter upgrades are performed.

“This electricity isn’t just turning on lights, it’s powering human connections across our libraries, halls, leisure centres and pools, and helping our residents get home safely at night,” said Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery. ”To do that in a sustainable and cost-effective way is a massive win. It’s also a major step toward net zero emissions for Council operations by 2030.”

Council’s clean electricity will be generated at Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) Australia’s Metz Solar Farm near Armidale in New South Wales’ Northern Tablelands. Metz Solar Farm is a 115MWac solar PV facility that first powered up in December last year and began sending electricity to the grid in March this year; achieving full commercial operation in September. Metz Solar Farm is expected to generate more than 300,000 megawatt-hours a year.

As well as electricity from Metz, Wollongong City Council also has 545 kilowatts of solar panels installed on various assets. Among the more recent significant installations is a 219.6kW PV system comprised of 549 panels atop Council’s multi-storey car park in Stewart Street.

Mayor’s Advice: Shop Around For A Better Electricity Deal

While households don’t have the buying power of a local government, Mayor Bradbery is encouraging residents to look at their own electricity supplies.

“In this volatile energy market, residents would be wise to shop around for the best price and consider renewable energy to power their homes.”

Wollongong residents with solar power systems can easily compare electricity plans here on SolarQuotes. And for those without panels but who are considering them, check out SQ’s list of reputable solar installers servicing Wollongong.

It makes good sense for most households with enough roof space to jump on the home PV bandwagon. Using SQ’s solar calculator with its default settings indicates a 6.6kW system can achieve simple payback in around 5 years, 3 months in Wollongong. As electricity prices go up – as they are expected to do for a while yet – payback could be shortened depending on a household’s energy consumption profile.

Council Collectives Scoring Cheaper Clean Power

Wollongong’s Red Energy deal follows a group tender by seven councils in New South Wales coordinated by Procurement Australia. Local governments banding together to get a better deal on electricity – and clean power – is becoming pretty common. Just last week we reported Shoalhaven, Kiama and Shellharbour councils have inked an agreement that will provide renewables-generated electricity offsets starting next year.