Saying it is giving power back to the community, the Victorian Government is inviting citizens to express their opinion on the future of community renewable energy projects in the state.
The Community Renewable Energy Projects Discussion Paper was launched yesterday. The Paper focuses on how to address three main issues:
- the definition of community renewable energy projects
- payment-in-lieu-of-rates (PiLoR) methodology for community scale ventures
- planning arrangements for community wind farms
“We’ve set strong renewable energy targets and want Victoria to be carbon neutral by 2050. Local community led clean energy projects will be critical in helping us deliver on our ambitious agenda,” said Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio.
Currently, community wind farms are prohibited in some areas in Victoria; including the Macedon Ranges.
“We want wind farms in the Macedon Ranges and this discussion paper is seeking input into how we best achieve this,” said Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas.
The Victorian government made an election commitment to allow community wind farms in the Macedon Ranges.
While the paper is centered around wind power, feedback is also being requested how to best define non-wind renewable energy technologies; i.e., what constitutes a small community grid-connected biomass or solar power facility.
The Community Renewable Energy Projects Discussion Paper can be downloaded here (PDF). Community and stakeholder feedback can be submitted until 28 November.
Australia’s first community initiated and owned wind farm in Australia is located in Victoria – Hepburn Community Wind Farm; situated at Leonards Hill. Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative Ltd has over 2000 members, most of whom are local to the area. The cooperative ponied up $9.8 million for the construction costs of the wind farm, with the balance needed provided by the Victorian Government in grants of $1.7 million and a loan from Bendigo Bank of $3.1 million.
The 4.1 MW wind farm consists of two turbines that produce enough clean energy to supply more than 2,000 homes.
Aside from clean electricity, community wind farms can bring a variety of benefits to an area, including infrastructure, jobs and revenue.
