Stumping up for solar switch.

A number of significant solar farms for the region may be in the wings.

But on a smaller scale, Greater Shepparton City Council has pulled the trigger on $225 500 to install solar panels on its own facilities to help cut costs amid the climbing price of power.

And Shepparton, once known as the solar city, may one day be the solar-powered city, with hopes for more council assets to progressively turn to renewables.

Councillors this week commended the spend for the lump sum contract for solar installation on council buildings.

Cr Bruce Giovanetti said councillors were aware electricity costs were set to climb in the next year.

‘‘It’s great to see council is taking a proactive approach to ensuring we can reduce energy consumption costs as much as we can,’’ he said.

‘‘Hopefully this is just stage one of a number of stages of solar panels on council buildings.’’

Cr Dinny Adem added he was glad to see the transition ‘‘finally taking place’’ to reduce energy costs and the city’s carbon footprint.

‘‘I’m very pleased to see that moving forward,’’ he said.

Following this week’s council meeting, Mayor Kim O’Keeffe argued ‘‘every dollar counts’’ and that the council needed cut costs where possible.

‘‘In this space it is something we need to do,’’ she said.

‘‘Because costs are going to come up against other things that we may have to compromise with. ‘‘This is a great start.’’ 

In November last year, the council predicted the amount it paid for power might increase by up to 50 or 60 per cent in coming years.

A parliamentary inquiry in Shepparton into the health of regional councils’ finances last year heard from council representatives the impact rising power prices had on finances.

While acknowledging the significant price increases experienced, the council said it was on the front foot in managing energy use.

Council’s environment manager Greg McKenzie at the time said energy reduction measures integrated as part of a council plan were expected to reduce energy consumption by 8.5 per cent through to 2020 from 2014 levels.

Mr McKenzie said council energy usage had been predominantly in decline since 2010 and would continue to be, despite major new infrastructure projects in the wings, including the new Shepparton Art Museum and Cosgrove Three landfill.

But despite the decline in use, costs were climbing.

‘‘We recognise that even though our energy usage is declining, our costs continue to rise,’’ Mr McKenzie said.

‘‘The major issue is the volatility of the market. (This is) why council has an energy reduction plan.’’

Story by Thomas Moir from the Shepparton News - “Stumping up for solar switch.”

Our 'solar city' taking shape - $50 000 study grant

Member for Northern Victoria,
Jaclyn Symes announces
clean energy grants.

Shepparton, in the Goulburn Valley, has long been known, in some circles as the “Solar City” and a State Government announcement today could see that bolstered in a truly practical way.

The Murchison based GV Community Energy (GVCE) has been handed a $50 000 grant to advance the Tatura Energy Future project and determine the viability of a large-scale (up to 30 MW) PV installation at one of three potential sites.

GV Community Energy CEO, Geoff Lodge, said that should they be able to demonstrate the viability of the project and see it go ahead, then it would easily be Victoria’s largest PV installation.

The grant to GVCE was announced today by the Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, who said the Andrews Labor Government has confirmed the first group of successful recipients of its $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund grants with Northern Victoria to receive nearly $300,000 in funding.

Other projects to be funded include $80 000 to Wodonga City Council for a community solar project; $50 000 to the Euroa Environment Group to prepare a business case for the Strathbogie/Seymour Energy Alliance Pumped Hydroelectric Storage project; and $100 000 to the Wangaratta Government Centre to fund a study into a clean energy project.

Mr Lodge said the GVCE study would be completed largely by existing staff with just minor input from others in specialist areas.

He said that the study would be completed with an end user in mind, who would be a part of the conversation.

He said today the work starts “now” and would be completed just as quickly as possible.

Ms Symes said the GVCE, Wodonga, Euroa, Wangaratta projects are four of 24 grants announced state-wide and it is exciting that the Northern Victoria grant recipients provided innovative ideas for projects that support a clean energy future and help position Victoria as a leader in new energy technologies.

“I look forward to working with these groups, we are determined to grow clean energy jobs and business opportunities that benefit our local communities in country Victoria,” Ms Symes said.

“We’re proud to be rebuilding much needed confidence in the renewable energy industry following the neglect of the former Liberal National Government at both state and federal levels over recent years.”

Ms Symes said the fund is a key component of the Labor Government’s $200 million Future Industries Fund to support high growth, high value industries, such as the new energy technologies sector that are critical to securing Victoria’s future as a competitive, innovative and outward looking economy.