Waverley Council joins landmark renewable energy agreement to cut emissions and costs
12 October 2018
12 October 2018
Waverley Council joins landmark renewable energy agreement to cut emissions and costs
Waverley Council has joined 17 other NSW councils to sign a landmark agreement that will result in approximately 30% of council’s retail electricity being supplied by a renewable energy generator from 1 July 2019.
This innovative approach, achieved through a renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), allows Waverley Council to purchase renewable electricity without exposure to the volatility of the National Electricity Market (NEM).The PPA will provide Bayside Council with significant cost savings while also reducing their carbon emissions.
The ground-breaking contract will provide Waverley Council with renewable energy from the Moree Solar Farm project until the end of 2030, with the balance of council’s retail electricity needs being supplied as regular grid electricity by Origin Energy for at least the next three years. Around 440,000 MWh of renewable energy will be supplied to the 18 councils over the life of agreement.
Under the agreement, Waverley Council will be able to procure our renewable energy requirements at a fixed price while having access to a competitive market rate for the balance of council retail electricity needs, for the life of the agreement.
Waverley Mayor, John Wakefield said: “Waverley Council is so proud to have joined forces with 17 other NSW councils to reduce our emissions and costs”.
“Not only is this good for the environment but it is also great for Waverley Council as the cost-savings will be able to be re-invested back into our community. It’s a win-win,” Mayor Wakefield said.
Mayor of Burwood Council and SSROC President, Councillor John Faker said, “This is a huge achievement by local government. Councils will save money, lower their risk and reduce their carbon emissions. It will also give a much-needed boost to the renewable energy industry in NSW. It is a major part of the regional Renewable Energy Master Plan, Our Energy Future.”
Origin Energy Executive General Manager, Energy Supply and Operations, Greg Jarvis said “We are seeing more and more large customers interested in sustainability and SSROC came to us wanting cost effective renewable energy options. Origin has structured an agreement that gives these councils electricity from Moree Solar Farm during the day and firming generation at other times, to cover demand around the clock.
Director of Sourced Energy, David West, who is advising SSROC on this PPA said, “This is a great deal for councils and for NSW. This agreement is truly innovative in its approach to price risk and we have been delighted to work with SSROC to find a way to successfully deliver it to so many councils”.
SSROC General Manager, Namoi Dougall said, “This is a new and exciting model for electricity supply and a prime example of what councils can achieve when we work together. SSROC is proud to have led the charge towards securing a more sustainable future for councils through this approach to buying renewable energy”.
Fast Facts:
Origin Energy:
Origin Energy (ASX: ORG) is the leading Australian integrated energy company. Origin is the leading energy retailer with approximately 4.2 million customer accounts, has approximately 6,000 MW of power generation capacity and is also a large natural gas supplier. Origin is the upstream operator of Australia Pacific LNG, which supplies natural gas to domestic markets and exports LNG under long term contracts.
SSROC:
The Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) is an association of 11 councils spanning Sydney’s southern suburbs, eastern suburbs, CBD, and inner west and covering a third of the Greater Sydney’s population, or 1.7m people. SSROC provides a forum through which our member councils exchange ideas and work collaboratively to solve regional issues and contribute to the future sustainability of the region. We facilitate joint projects and procurement, and advocate on behalf of our region to ensure that the major issues are addressed by all levels of government.
SSROC plays a key role in helping member councils define their procurement requirements and scope of works to obtain what they need at best value. Participation in regional contracts continues to be strong, with SSROC procuring goods and services worth approximately $32 million in the 2016-2017 financial year on behalf of the member councils, along with maintenance of approximately 35 regional contracts for its member councils to utilise. SSROC offers procurement support to all member councils.
During the 2017-2018 financial year, SSROC has undertaken numerous tenders of existing and new regional contracts, including banking, mattress collection and recovery, asphalt road marking and associated products (in collaboration with LGP), and the Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Sourced Energy:
Sourced Energy is a network of top energy industry experts that deliver specialised, high value services for businesses.
http://www.sourcedenergy.com.au/
Agreement Details:
- The 18 Councils in this joint renewable energy and retail electricity contract are Bayside, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Georges River, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-Ring Gai, Liverpool, North Sydney, Parramatta, Randwick, Ryde, Singleton, Sutherland Shire, Waverley, Willoughby and Woollahra.
- Lane Cove and Mosman Council participated in the retail electricity component of the process only.
Details: http://ssroc.nsw.gov.au/