Independent Federal MP for Indi Cathy McGowan says communities are “ready to go” with local community power projects to tackle rising energy costs and fight climate change.
Ms McGowan yesterday introduced legislation to Parliament calling on the Federal Government to better support community renewable energy projects.
The bill proposes a dedicated funding model for regional power projects from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
“There are 90 community energy projects across Australia – 75% of them are in regional Australia,” Ms McGowan said.
Local and state government has taken a lead role in supporting these projects, she said. adding the missing piece is the Commonwealth.
Local power generation was a vital part of solving national energy policy, together with baseload projects and big storage initiatives.
Community takes lead on solving energy woes
In particular, Ms McGowan singled out community power project Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) as a model for regional success.
With a 100 per cent renewable energy goal, the small Victorian town aims to achieve energy sovereignty by 2022.
The volunteer group is working with Ausnet Services to build a mini-grid system for sharing residential solar power.
To support this, they have established the TRY Perpetual Energy Fund. Donations to the fund are reinvested in renewable power projects, home battery storage for residents and large solar panel systems.
This project, along with others taken up by communities in North-East Victoria, was an essential part of a national energy strategy.
Amendment would unlock community power potential
Supporting community power projects formed part of both ARENA and the CEFC’s original intent, Ms McGowan said.
“The supporting renewable energy communities package brings together the ARENA Act and the CEFC Act once again,” she said.
The proposed bill would clarify the role of ARENA to allow for more community-based funding. It would remove barriers to power sharing, provide start-up cash for systems and expertise in developing local power projects.
In addition, the CEFC would take a greater role in accelerating the commercial success of community energy projects to support sector development.
Ms McGowan said the government risked falling behind on vital issue to regional Australians.
“Communities are working in partnership with local and state governments to address supply and demand,” she said.
“The government knows that the agency best placed to support the community energy sector is ARENA.”
