NSW local governments sign $180m clean energy supply deal

Three solar farms in New South Wales, Australia, will supply renewable energy to 25 councils across the state, following a landmark agreement made with retailer Zen Energy.

Brokered by the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) and worth approximately $180m, the deal will see Zen deliver more than 214 gigawatt hours of electricity annually.

100 per cent renewable

Nineteen of the participating councils have opted to go 100 per cent renewable under the agreement, with their total electricity supply covered by renewable energy from the Moree, Hillston and Nevertire solar farms.

The City of Sydney reports it has been powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity for almost two years after signing a similar agreement with Flow Power in July 2020.

“It’s wonderful to see so many local government organisations collaborating in order to maximise their efforts to lower global carbon emissions,” said Clover Moore, lord mayor of Sydney.

“We’ve been certified carbon neutral since 2011 and our operations have been running on 100 per cent renewable electricity for almost two years.”

“By sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy, we will be on our path to meet our target of net zero carbon emissions, to ensure that we remain environmentally sustainable into the future”

She continued: “With overwhelming climate research telling us that emissions need to plummet now, these are the energy agreements we need to cut the carbon emissions of local council operations.”

The 25 councils participating in the agreement collectively represent over three million people, almost 38 percent of NSW’s population. The agreement commences in 2022 and runs to 2026 with an option to extend to 2030.