Lake Macquarie City Council will move to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025 for its large sites and street lights after joining forces with neighbouring councils to secure a renewable energy supply for the next decade.
Lake Macquarie, along with Central Coast Council, Cessnock City Council, Maitland City Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Upper Hunter Shire Council have teamed up to secure a long-term electricity agreement with Mojo Power, backed by new renewable electricity generation projects in regional NSW and the Hunter Region.
Council’s Director Built and Natural Assets David Hughes said the collaborative approach would result in a greener, more sustainable and diversified source of power for Council’s large sites and street lights.
“This investment fits with Council’s strategy of investing in clean, renewable sources of energy and reducing impact on the local environment,” Hughes said.
Lake Macquarie facilitated and participated in the innovative joint regional procurement process, harnessing the combined buying power and electricity load of the six councils combined to secure a competitive 10-year contract.
“Working with neighbouring councils enhanced our buying power but, importantly, also signalled a shared commitment by LGAs across our two regions to reduce our carbon footprint and promote the benefits of renewable energy,” revealed Hughes.
Many of Lake Macquarie’s major sites will source power from the new agreement, including the LMC administration building, the Museum of Art and Culture, as well as libraries, holiday parks, swim centres, and street lights.
Lake Macquarie City Council will transition to 100 per cent renewable energy for these sites by 2025 as projects come online.
The council has made numerous other renewable energy improvements that will continue to have ongoing positive impacts on not only service delivery, but the wider environment.
Lake Macquarie City Council celebrated World Environment Day in 2018 by announcing it had already achieved a 2023 renewable energy target, which encompassed a goal of having 600kW of renewable energy capacity installed at council facilities by 2023.
Information source: Lake Macquarie City