Ryde Council adopts 100 per cent renewable energy target by 2030
Ryde council is set to roll out more solar panels and a fleet of electric vehicles after pledging to hit a 100 per cent renewable energy target by 2030. Read the full details.
Northern District Times
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Ryde council is set to roll out more solar panels and a fleet of electric vehicles after adopting a 100 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.
Council’s Works and Community Committee unanimously voted for council to adopt the ambitious target with the goal of ensuring all council’s electricity-using assets are sourced by renewable energy by the end of June 2030.
It comes at the back of a report requested by council which found that meeting a 100 per cent renewable energy target was achievable through a mix of actions including increasing solar energy production and increasing efficiency upgrades.
The report found Ryde council was already on track to achieving a 61 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources under a ‘business as usual’ pathway.
City of Ryde mayor Jerome Laxale said: “This is something the community has been asking us for a while, to take action to protect our local environment, and I’m proud this council is taking it seriously.”
When asked whether a 100 per cent target was achievable, Cr Laxale said “absolutely.”
“We’re currently at 61 per cent – that’s through policy settings we’ve set so far,” Cr Laxale said.
Currently, council has a suite of solar panels across the region including at Ryde Aquatic Centre, West Ryde Community Centre, and North Ryde Library and Community Centre.
Cr Laxale said plans would include the installation of more solar panels on community buildings and on new developments including Ryde Central and Rowe Street car park.
“There’s more roof spaces we can explore. The biggest one will be at the Civic Centre which will be powered by renewable energy,” he said.
A new fleet of electric vehicles for council staff is also set to be rolled out in coming weeks.
“Council is a very outward organisation. We’ve got staff like rangers and health inspectors who need cars to get around,” Cr Laxale said.
The Ryde mayor said the 100 per cent renewable energy target would deliver economic and environmental benefits including reduced council utility costs, reduced emissions and increased energy security for the community.
“As an example, since 2018 Council has divested more than a third of its investment portfolio away from fossil fuel-aligned institutions, with no worsening of our financial position.”
Cr Edwina Clifton, who proposed the report, said council committing to this target is an “important step” in Council’s efforts to tackle climate change.
“The bushfires that ravaged much of Australia last summer show the severe damage that can be caused when zero action is taken,” she said.
Cr Laxale said next steps would include council also adopting an emissions reduction target later this year.