Moira Shire Council is one of 46 Victorian Councils to sign on to VECO, the Victorian Energy Collaboration, the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia.
VECO, led by Darebin City Council in Melbourne's north, will provide 45% of all Victorian Councils' electricity requirements with 100% renewables, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of C02-e every year.
Provided by Red Energy, the 240GWh of clean power is equivalent to powering 48,000 homes with renewables or removing the emissions from 90,000 cars every year.
Initiated by and facilitated with the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances, VECO recognises the benefits of renewable energy for the environment and the economy.
The ground-breaking project will reduce each of the Council's current energy bills and reduce electricity prices by using clean renewable energy generated right here in Victoria.
VECO is expected to save Moira Shire Council approximately 10% on their electricity bills, which equates to almost $42,000 savings each year.
By joining the project, Moira Shire Council will power 100% of its total energy use with renewables, including all council buildings and community facilities owned by council, street lights, parks and reserves.
Mayor Libro Mustica said Victoria had some of the best renewable energy resources in the world, including wind and solar.
"This landmark collaboration demonstrates the value of local government working together on common issues," Cr Mustica said.
"This project highlights that large scale co-operation is possible to transition to a renewable energy future and address climate change.
"Moira Shire Council is committed to showing leadership and taking serious action on climate change and by joining this project it has doubled the reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions target by 2021 from 35% to 72%; our overall target is to get to net zero emissions by 2050."
Darebin Mayor Councillor Lina Messina said the project was proof of what can be achieved with collaboration.
"This is a collective effort formed by staff and councillors from across the state, for the benefit of our communities," Cr Messina said.
"By powering councils with affordable renewable energy, we're making ratepayers' dollars go further. Every dollar we save on energy bills is a dollar we can put towards improving roads, footpaths, libraries or community programs."
Red Energy will provide 240 GWh of electricity per year to the 46 councils in the VECO purchasing group over a period of 9.5 years, beginning 1 July 2021.
Owned by Snowy Hydro, Red Energy is a 100 per cent Australian owned and operated energy retailer based in Melbourne.
"Given Red Energy is born and bred in Victoria, we are really excited to be a part of a project that is supporting Victorian councils, their ratepayers and two new Victorian wind farms", said Red Energy CEO Iain Graham.
"Our owner Snowy Hydro has been a leader in renewable generation for decades and Red Energy is delighted to partner with Victorian councils to provide a long-term energy contract that will enable councils to purchase renewable energy at a competitive price", Mr Graham said.
The renewable energy will be provided by two wind farms in Victoria – Dundonnell wind farm near Mortlake, which started exporting power to the grid in March 2020, and Murra Warra II wind farm near Horsham, which commenced construction September 2020 and will be fully operational by June 2022.
Both wind farms have and will continue to deliver economic benefits to the regions during construction and ongoing operation, and form an important part of state, regional and local economic development.
Participating councils are:
Alpine Shire Council
Golden Plains Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire
Ararat Rural City Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Pyrenees Shire Council
Ballarat City Council
Hepburn Shire Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Banyule City Council
Greater Bendigo City Council
Stonnington City Council
Bass Coast Shire Council
Horsham Rural City Council
Surf Coast Shire Council
Borough of Queenscliffe
Indigo Shire Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
Brimbank City Council
Loddon Shire Council
Swan Hill Rural City Council
Buloke Shire Council
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Warrnambool City Council
Cardinia Shire Council
Manningham City Council
Wellington Shire Council
Campaspe Shire Council
Maribyrnong City Council
Whitehorse City Council
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Maroondah City Council
Whittlesea City Council
City of Greater Dandenong
Melton City Council
Wodonga City Council
City of Greater Geelong
Mildura Rural City Council
Wyndham City Council
Darebin City Council
Moira Shire Council
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
East Gippsland Shire Council
Monash City Council
Glen Eira City Council
Moonee Valley City Council
