Marchant backs Local Energy Hub idea

LOCAL, state and federal MPs are joining a push for the federal government to fund and resource Local Energy Hubs across the nation to help drive Australia’s shift to renewables.

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant is among those to show public support for the hubs, which would be physical facilities with a strong outreach program in renewable energy regions, staffed by experts.

According to the campaign, which is a collaboration between RE-Alliance, the Community Power Agency and Yes2Renewables, the hubs would help their communities in several ways, including to:

• Better understand and reduce electricity bills
• Understand proposed large-scale projects
• Negotiate with large-scale developers to get the best outcomes for local communities and nature
• Develop electrification strategies for agricultural businesses
• Buy rooftop solar, a home battery or an EV, and
• Set up a community-owned renewable energy project.

The campaign estimates a fully funded national network of 50 Local Energy Hubs and a co-ordinating body would cost $150 million annually for 10 to 15 years, and is urging the federal government to commit the funds in the coming Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook

.”It’s really exciting to see the level of traction that the concept of Local Energy Hubs is generating,” RE-Alliance national director Andrew Bray said.

“When we speak to communities about the idea of filling a local shopfront with trusted local experts to demystify the shift to renewables – the immediate response is that it’s a no-brainer.”

Last month, the campaign delivered an open letter signed by more than 40 local government representatives to federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, calling for investment in Local Energy Hubs to ensure the shift to renewables led to locally-felt benefits.

“As more and more projects pop up, the more important it is to have people based in regional areas who can see the whole picture, connect the dots, help to amplify the opportunities and reduce the engagement fatigue,” Community Power Agency director Dr Jarra Hicks said.