Geelong region community energy groups to get $650k per year for a decade under ambitious plan
Community groups would get $6.5 million in the next decade to develop renewable energy projects, like solar farms or battery storage, under a proposal being pushed by a federal MP.
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Community groups would receive $6.5m in the next decade to develop renewable energy projects, such as solar farms or battery storage, under a proposal being pushed by a federal MP.
Indi MP Helen Haines said Geelong would be home to one of 50 nationwide renewable energy hubs under her $310m plan that would offer technical advice to community groups and $150,000 loans annually.
“Right now, we need practical solutions to jolt our economy back to life, and this is a sensible, practical plan we developed with communities right across regional Australia,” Dr Haines said.
“The Local Power Plan would mean lower bills, stronger energy security, and new jobs and opportunities for regional Australians. Now more than ever, that’s exactly what we need.”
The plan also suggests publicly underwriting majority-community-owned energy projects to entice large private investors, and mandating developers offer 20 per cent ownership of new large-scale renewable energy projects, such as wind farms, to grassroots investors.
Barwon Region Alliance for Community Energy co-convener Adrian Ford said the plan could give residential developers an opportunity to partner with community groups developing renewable energy projects.
“Any development these days ought to be thinking about firstly minimising the amount of energy it requires but also generating as much of its own (energy) as it can,” he said.
He said the plan could expand grassroots investing in community renewable energy projects similar to a 500-solar-panel project at Multicultural Aged Care Services in North Geelong, established in 2017.
It could also develop batteries to store energy for bushfire prone areas like Apollo Bay, he said.
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Dr Haines said the plan was modelled on a successful pilot program in Bendigo, Ballarat and the Latrobe Valley.
“An initial investment of $1.3m generated 15 projects worth $14.5m to the local economy and saved people $364,000 in electricity bills every year,” she said.
“Our proposal is significantly more ambitious so would deliver much greater economic return and much greater savings.”
She has lobbied the federal government to fund the ambitious plan — spelt out in a 40-page document — in the October budget.
Legislation would also be needed to establish the peak body to administer the plan.
Originally published as Geelong region community energy groups to get $650k per year for a decade under ambitious plan