As a part of delivering its ambitious Climate Change Strategy and halving emissions by 2030, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio on Thursday (8 July) announced $6.5 million to expand the Community Power Hubs program and provide new grants for community organisations.
The hubs, which include Indigo Power in Yackandandah, will be set up in regions across the state, with each hub supporting community energy groups in their region by providing support, funding and local expertise, an official press release said.
Indigo Power will convene the Hume Community Power Hub, working with groups from across Northern Victoria such as Goulburn Community Energy, Renewable Energy Mansfield and Totally Renewable Beechworth to develop new community projects.
The Hume Hub will immediately get to work, having been provided $59,964 to install a 136kW rooftop solar system at the Moyola Gardens Retirement Village in Tatura and $12,250 to install an 8kW Solar PV on Yea Community Shed.
The other hubs will be convened by Healesville Community Owned Renewable Energy, Yarra Energy Foundation based in Richmond, Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions, Geelong Sustainability Group, Gippsland Climate Change Network and Bendigo Sustainability Group.
The hubs have been funded to immediately deliver 16 solar energy projects by the end of the year, which will build energy resilience in response to extreme weather events like the devastating storm event in June.
Community organisations like sporting clubs, kindergartens and men’s sheds can also now apply for grants of up to $50,000 to install renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and undertake energy audits. This $3.1 million investment will help these organisations save on their energy bills, while also reducing emissions.
For more information on the Community Power Hubs program or to apply for grant for your community organisation, visit sustainability.vic.gov.au
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