By Luis Feliu
An ambitious renewable-energy plan by Tweed Shire Council to produce 25 per cent of its own power from solar in under five years and half of it with storage by 2025 is expected to save up to $1.5 million per year in ratepayer funds.
The plan for council buildings and facilities to be self-sufficient in renewable energy was unanimously passed by councillors last night, and involves 29 projects to be implemented in two stages over seven years.
A total of 3.2 megawatts of solar power will be generated under council’s renewable action energy plan (REAP).
Greens mayor Katie Milne described the plan ‘a substantial breakthrough, praising staff, consultants and the Tweed Climate Action Network’s Greg Reid for ‘the fantastic job they have done’.
‘Local government has a key role to play, not just in facing the impacts of climate change but in leading community efforts to reduce emissions,’ Cr Milne said.
‘Anyone who has been through a natural disaster, as our community has, knows what it means to risk the increase in extreme weather events that come with climate change,’ she said.
Many of the first-stage projects have a payback period of less than five years.
Mayor Milne said that until recently, council had adopted only a limited, ad-hoc role in reducing greenhouse emissions ‘however a detailed review has shown a pathway to substantially reduce emissions and save money’.
Mr Reid said the plan was ‘an investment in the future of our community’.
’The climate and the world economy is changing and there are no prizes for falling behind,’ he said.
‘I congratulate the council on this important step.’
The REAP report was prepared by energy consultants 100% Renewables, which was engaged to investigate how council could reduce energy use and become self-sufficient in renewable energy.
In their report to councillors, staff recommended budgetary measures to achieve the plan’s goals and noted that savings generated from the earmarked projects ‘will all be used to pay back the initial capital investment, with the ongoing savings to be allocated to renewable
energy assets’.
To view the REAP agenda item visit:
Go Katie, best Mayor we have ever had!