Melbourne’s town halls, universities powered by renewable energy

Melbourne has become the first Australian municipality to have its town halls and other infrastructure powered by renewable energy from a wind farm.

A wind farm part-owned by Melbourne council has started supplying town halls, universities and street lights across Melbourne.

Melbourne has become the first Australian municipality to have its town halls and other infrastructure powered by renewable energy.

A wind farm part-owned by the council has started supplying town halls, universities and street lights across Melbourne.

Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said Pacific Hydro had installed 25 of the 39 turbines needed and energy had begun flowing into the power grid.

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Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“Making the move to 100 per cent renewable energy is the ultimate new year’s resolution,” he said.

“Every light on our streets, every treadmill in our gyms and every barbecue in our parks is now powered by renewable energy.”

The 80MW wind farm near Ararat was funded by 14 organisations, including councils, universities and cultural institutions. The project created more than 140 jobs during construction as well as eight ongoing maintenance jobs.

Mr Wood said the project would be fully operational by May, then expanded to allow businesses to buy power.

“This will continue to generate investment in new renewable energy, which is the cheapest cost for new-build electricity generation,” he said.