The Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) is the largest ever emissions reduction project undertaken by local government in Australia.
The landmark initiative has enabled 60 Victorian councils to switch to 100% renewable energy, starting in mid-2021. The “buyers’ group” aggregates approximately half of the entire Victorian sector’s electricity load – the same as taking 90,000 cars off the road.
The project was initiated and facilitated by the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances and is currently administered jointly by the Cities of Wyndham and Brimbank, who lead group procurement activities for the landmark Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Five WAGA members are participating in the project to secure renewable energy to power municipal offices, leisure centres, streetlights, and community buildings: the Cities of Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham, whilst Hobsons Bay is participating to power its streetlights. Councils participating in the project recognise the benefits of renewable energy for local economies and job creation, environmental purposes, and reducing costs. In 2024-25, the VECO Power Purchase Agreement saved WAGA councils a total of $880,650 on business-as-usual electricity costs and avoided a total of 51,767 tonnes of emissions.
More information
Go to the VECO website: https://www.veco.org.au/
The Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action (WAGA) respectfully acknowledges and recognises the Woiwurrung, Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and we pay respect to their Elders, past, present and future.