Council goes 100 per cent renewable energy

Media Release 28 December 2022

On 1 January 2023 all of Council’s facilities will be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity.

In August Council secured a contract for renewable electricity to power large sites and streetlighting by combining with ten other councils from the central NSW region and five councils from the Riverina region in a joint procurement process. The contract commences on 1 January 2023 with electricity sourced from the Bodangara wind farm near Wellington, as well as other renewable energy assets owned by Iberdrola.

In October this year, Council also contracted to source 100 per cent renewable energy for all its small market electricity sites through Shell Energy.

Together the contracts will achieve zero emissions electricity for all of Council’s facilities and streetlights, reducing emissions from Council operations by around 10,000 tonnes annually.

Mayor Robert Taylor said this will reduce Council’s carbon footprint by providing clean energy supply for Council operations.

“The deal also supports investments in renewables, reduces reliance on fossil fuels and protects from the price volatility in the electricity market,” he said.

“The contracts mean Council will exceed the renewable energy targets adopted in June 2020 as part of the Renewable Energy Action Plan, and will also go a long way to helping Council achieve the target of 25 per cent reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.”