Construction of Renewable Newstead’s solar farm began on Tuesday with a welcome to country from Dja Dja Wurrung and Wamba Wamba woman Cassandra Lewis and a visit from Minster for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio, Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards, and representatives from Flow Power and DELWP.
The solar farm and battery system will generate enough electricity to transition Newstead to 100 per cent renewable energy and is expected to be completed by July 2023.
The community group Newstead 2021 Inc spearheaded the project and overcame significant challenges including the pandemic, grid constraints, market changes, weather events, and international supply chain issues to finally break ground on the project. The group has collaborated with Powercor and retailer Flow Power to make the project a reality.
Renewable Newstead volunteer Gen Barlow said this is a model that can be used in lots of other small rural communities.
“It’s great because everyone in the community can use the energy, including renters or those with houses that don’t support solar,” Ms Barlow said.
A retail offer will be made available for Newstead residents through Flow Power, offering 100 per cent clean energy and power bill reductions of up to 30 per cent. Flow Power will reinvest a portion of profits back into the community for further renewable energy projects.
Flow Power CEO Matthew van der Linden said they were proud to be part of the project.
“We’re proud to create an energy solution together with Renewable Newstead, that not only delivers a local clean energy generator, but incorporates solar, battery, energy hardware, and community engagement,” he said.
“This combination is the holy grail of the ideal energy system and is the missing link in what is needed to transition this industry to a 100 per cent renewable energy market,” Mr van der Linden said.
Renewable Newstead convenor Geoff Park said the Renewable Newstead long-held dream is getting closer.
“The first idea for a local energy project in Newstead emerged in 2009. Local volunteers have helped bring this to fruition, and we’ve had a big hand with the help of a $1.1M grant from the state government in 2018. Now we’re pleased to see Flow Power take on the project to bring our dream to life – locally generated clean energy and a retail offer for our residents to champion renewable energy,” Mr Park said.
The community-led Renewable Newstead Energy Project is a three-megawatt (MW) solar farm and five-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery system that will generate enough electricity to transition Newstead to 100 per cent renewable energy. The battery system will provide additional benefits with the ability to feed into the grid at times of low sunshine and outside daylight hours. The 6.2-hectare site will include 80-100m rows of panels, six metres apart, and include a tracking system to follow the sun and provide maximum energy production.
Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio said, “Great ideas always find a way. This project is a credit to the Newstead community and will be an exemplar for rural communities around the country.”
“Newstead is leading the way – driving down their energy bills by up to 30 per cent and helping Victoria hit our target to reduce emissions by 50 per by 2030.”
During the event, Minister D’Ambrosio announced $1.15 million for 15 new Victorian renewable energy and energy efficiency projects through the latest round of the New Energy Jobs Fund (NEJF).
A total of $20 million has been provided to communities through the NJEF, which was designed to support community-based projects that create long-term sustainable jobs, increase the uptake of renewable energy, slash greenhouse gas emissions and drive innovation in emerging energy technologies.
“This fund is empowering communities and local businesses to take part in Victoria’s clean energy transition while creating jobs, slashing emissions and sharing economic benefits locally,” Minister D’Ambrosio said.
For more information on the project visit renewablenewstead.com.au