BALLARAT Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions is set to host the Grampians region Community Power Hub initiative for twelve months after being nominated by Sustainability Victoria.<\/p>\n
As part of the program community organisations\u2019 solar, wind and battery power projects with potential will be identified by BREAZE<\/p>\n
Then their volunteers will help those local groups, within the region\u2019s 11 municipal areas, to make the energy changes a reality.<\/p>\n
BREAZE president Mary Debrett said the group is honoured to take on the role of Power Hub.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re managing such an important and timely program; one that will aid the development of community-owned renewable energy projects across the state,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis regional CPH will build on the work of the BREAZE-hosted Ballarat CPH pilot, which ran from 2017 to 2020, and ultimately contributed approximately one-megawatt of community power.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Grampians CPH will help local communities to build cheaper energy infrastructure that is also more resilient when bushfires hit. This is a terrific opportunity to raise public awareness of the benefits of renewable energy and help to cut carbon emissions, assisting with Ballarat\u2019s community-wide \u2018net zero by 2030\u2019 target.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Debrett is asking the region\u2019s community organisations and not-for-profits to think about how they can embrace renewables in an \u201cambitious\u201d way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are now multiple business models for funding community power projects, from crowd-sourced funding to leasing arrangements and angel investors, to the tried-and-true methods of community fundraising,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Members of the BREAZE board met with the Old Colonists\u2019 Association committee, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and City of Ballarat Cr Belinda Coates last Friday to celebrate the completion of the State Government\u2019s Grampians Renewable Energy Program, and share the latest Power Hub news.<\/p>\n
\u201cSolar for retirees, social housing and sporting clubs are among the GRE models that BREAZE hopes to replicate across the many communities of the Grampians region in the new regional CPH, building on the success of the Ballarat Pilot CPH,\u201d Ms Debrett said.<\/p>\n
Environmental advocate and City of Ballarat Cr Belinda Coates commended the Hub which complements the municipality\u2019s own \u2018net zero by 2030\u2019 goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really need everyone working together in the same direction, and we really need to aim high and go fast to get anywhere near achieving that, so these kinds of projects are a terrific win-win,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunity groups will have lower bills, but at the same time, it\u2019s good for the environment, bringing down our emissions as a city too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said the project is an investment in the \u201crenewable revolution\u201d by Sustainability Victoria, a State Government agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also going to have great cost-savings for community organisations as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BALLARAT Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions is set to host the Grampians region Community Power Hub initiative for twelve months after being nominated by Sustainability Victoria. As part of the program community organisations\u2019 solar, wind and battery power projects with potential will be identified by BREAZE Then their volunteers will help those local groups, within […]<\/p>\n