Hobsons Bay City Council is taking the lead to achieve the goal of zero net greenhouse gas emissions for the Council by 2020 and for community by 2030 through the large scale roll out of a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and the installation of new solar panels on more than 40 Council owned and occupied buildings.
The contract value and scope, as well as the details of the successful tenderer, will be announced once the contract has been finalised.
The VPP will generate almost 4 megawatts of solar power, enabling the Council to share energy from under-utilising solar energy sites with those that require more. In other words, energy goes where it is needed, not just where it is generated.
The solar energy system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 4,000 tonnes per annum, or up to 55 per cent of the Council’s direct emissions over the coming two years, which is equivalent to taking almost 600 homes off the grid.
The VPP also enables the Council to install systems on tenanted buildings, with both Council and the tenant benefiting financially from the investment. Tenants will have the ability to purchase solar energy at a discounted rate providing both financial and environmental benefits.
The project will generate substantial year on year savings for the Council by reducing energy costs, which is money that Council can put back into the community through the delivery of services and programs. The project also features a ‘pay back’ within nine years, which is similar to a residential solar installation.
Importantly, this is a future proofed project, with longer term opportunities for the community to participate in what will become a Hobsons Bay Community Solar network. This could enable anyone to opt-in to be a producer of energy, a user of energy, or both. Under this model, community cost savings will grow even further.
An extensive community consultation program will commence in the coming months to invite Hobsons Bay community members to have input into the design of the VPP model. This will help determine how the benefits are shared across the community.
(News just posted to Hobsons Bay City Council website)
Congratulations, Hobsons Bay! We look forward to learning more details once the contract is finalised.
