Leeton Shire Council has signed a 100% renewable electricity supply agreement with Iberdrola Australia through to the end of 2030, as part of a buyer’s group facilitating a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 13 regional councils in NSW.
The full agreement secures the supply of over 390 gigawatt hours of electricity to 163 large council sites and street lighting across regional NSW.
The Powering Tomorrow: Regional Councils NSW PPA was coordinated by the Hunter Joint Organisation and Mid North Coast Joint Organisation, along with advisors Sourced Energy, Regional Procurement, Procure Group, and Baker Mackenzie.
The program’s benefits include:
• Emissions Reduction: By opting for 100% renewable energy to power our large sites and streetlighting, we will avoid an estimated 5,211 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (t/CO2e). Securing renewable energy though this deal helps us to decarbonise council operations and aligns us with local, state and national net zero targets.
• Cost savings and budget certainty: By purchasing as a group, we have been able to lock in renewable electricity at a competitive price through to the end of 2030, saving Council an estimated $386,480 over the duration of the agreement (compared to current electricity costs). The deal also shields Council from volatility in the electricity market that can unexpectedly increase Council’s costs, giving us long-term budget certainty.
• Supporting the Local Economy: Renewable energy purchased under this deal will come from several of Iberdrola Australia’s NSW-based renewable energy projects, the Capital Wind Farm, the Avonlie Solar Farm and the Bodangora Wind Farm, supporting the economy of regional NSW by creating jobs and fostering the growth of new energy sectors. This commitment contributes to the development of a sustainable energy future throughout NSW.
“This agreement represents a significant milestone for our Council. By securing renewable energy at a stable price through to 2030, we are not only safeguarding our budget but also advancing our commitment to sustainability,” said Leeton Mayor, George Weston.
“It shows what Councils can achieve when working together and we extend our gratitude to our Joint Organisation Partners and our advisory team for their efforts in making this possible.”
General Manager, Jackie Kruger, said the PPA shows how forward thinking and collaboration can help address the shared challenges of local councils.
“I’d like to especially recognise the enormous efforts of our Manager Environmental Sustainability, Luke Tedesco, and Projects Coordinator, Amanda Hetti, who did a magnificent job of ensuring an excellent result for Leeton Shire Council.”
“Their thoroughness and attention to detail has been second to none and will positively benefit Council’s bottom line,” she said.
