RANDWICK and Bayside councils will benefit from a new deal with Origin to receive solar power.
They along with 18 other councils in the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils have signed up to a power purchase agreement with Origin, sourcing 39,000 MWh of renewable energy from the 56 megawatt Moree Solar Farm, starting on July 1, 2019, and running until the end of 2030.
Both Randwick and Bayside councils have welcomed the agreement which will provide up to 20 per cent of the councils’ energy requirements for its buildings, facilities and street lights, with an option to increase that percentage every three years.
Randwick Mayor Kathy Neilson said the council was pleased to diversify its energy supply and support the NSW renewable energy industry. It would also add to the solar panels at 11 council sites which already generate 260,000 kWh per year.
“We’re working towards a carbon neutral goal of zero carbon emissions by 2030,” she said. “This new agreement will help us to reduce the greenhouse gases emitted from council sites and assist us to reach our goal.”
Bayside Mayor Bill Saravinovski said with power costs going through the roof the council must find savings.
“The price of solar generated power is cheaper than the power being supplied through the grid and this can only benefit the environment and our ratepayers,” Councillor Saravinovski said.
The other councils in the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils that have signed up for the solar agreement are Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Georges River, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Ku-ring-gai Gai, Lane Cove, Liverpool, Mosman, North Sydney, Parramatta, Ryde, Singleton, Sutherland Shire, Waverley, Willoughby and Woollahra.
