Pyrenees Shire Council & the Victorian Energy Collaboration

Published on 19 May 2021

Pyrenees Shire Council is one of forty-six Victorian Councils to sign on to VECO, the Victorian Energy Collaboration, the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia. 

VECO, led by Darebin City Council in Melbourne’s north, will provide 45 per cent of all Victorian Councils’ electricity requirements with 100 per cent renewables, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of C02-e every year.

Provided by Red Energy, the 240GWh of clean power is equivalent to powering 48,000 homes with renewables or removing the emissions from 90,000 cars every year.

Initiated by and facilitated with the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances, VECO recognises the benefits of renewable energy for the environment and the economy.

The ground-breaking project will reduce each of the Council’s current energy bills and reduce electricity prices by using clean renewable energy generated right here in Victoria.

By joining the project, Pyrenees Shire Council will power all its total energy use with 100 per cent renewables, including streetlights, offices, community spaces, football and netball club rooms and lighting, pre-schools, libraries and town halls.

Pyrenees Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Jim Nolan, said Council was delighted to be part of this massive cooperative effort by Local Government organisations.

“Pyrenees Shire Council is very proud to be part of the VECO initiative, which will not only reduce Council’s power bills by around 10 per cent but will also make a significant impact on our CO2 emissions. The savings from reduced energy bills means Council can invest ratepayers’ money into other important areas, like improving roads and services,” Mr Nolan said.

“This agreement is a win-win for Pyrenees residents, and is a powerful display of what councils can achieve through communication and cooperation with each other,” Mr Nolan said.

Darebin Mayor Councillor Lina Messina said the project was proof of what can be achieved with collaboration.

“This is a collective effort formed by staff and councillors from across the state, for the benefit of our communities,” Cr Messina said.

“By powering councils with affordable renewable energy, we’re making ratepayers’ dollars go further. Every dollar we save on energy bills is a dollar we can put towards improving roads, footpaths, libraries or community programs.”

Red Energy will provide 240 GWh of electricity per year to the 46 councils in the VECO purchasing group over a period of 9.5 years, beginning 1 July 2021.

Owned by Snowy Hydro, Red Energy is a 100 per cent Australian owned and operated energy retailer based in Melbourne.

“Given Red Energy is born and bred in Victoria, we are really excited to be a part of a project that is supporting Victorian councils, their ratepayers and two new Victorian wind farms”, said Red Energy CEO Iain Graham.

“Our owner Snowy Hydro has been a leader in renewable generation for decades and Red Energy is delighted to partner with Victorian councils to provide a long-term energy contract that will enable councils to purchase renewable energy at a competitive price”, Mr Graham said.

The renewable energy will be provided by two wind farms in Victoria – Dundonnell wind farm near Mortlake, which started exporting power to the grid in March 2020, and Murra Warra II wind farm near Horsham, which commenced construction September 2020 and will be fully operational by June 2022.

Both wind farms have and will continue to deliver economic benefits to the regions during construction and ongoing operation, and form an important part of state, regional and local economic development.

Pyrenees Shire Council
Communications Officer Kate Deppeler 0439 073 547

VECO and Darebin City Council
Richard Pearce, Darebin City Council, Media Officer

0437 563 788

richard.pearce@darebin.vic.gov.au

Participating councils are: